inherit the wind lines act 2 scne 1

act 2 scene 1

Drummond: I am trying to establish your honor that Howard or Colonel Brady or Charles Darwin or anyone in this courtroom or you, sir, has the right to think!

Colonel Drummond, the right to think is not on trial here.

Drummond: A thinking, man and he is threatened with fine imprisonment because he chooses to speak what he thinks

Colonel Drummond, would you please rephrase your question?

Davenport. Objection.

Objection sustained

Drummond. Well, maybe you will someday thank you son. That’s all.

The witness is excused. (raps his gavel)

we won’t need you anymore. Howard you can go back to your paw now. (raps gavel)

Next witness.

Drummond. If the prosecution wants to know if they go to the same church, why doesn’t he ask that?

Uh- Objection overruled.

you will answer the question please.

CATES- religion supposed to comfort people isn’t it not frighten them to death

( pounding gavel) we will have order, please!

drummond. objection objection objection hearsay testimony is not admissible.

The court sees no objection to this line of questioning. proceed, Colonel Brady.

Rachel. I can’t.

May I remind you, Miss Brown, that you are testifying under oath, and it is unlawful to withhold pertinent information.

Rachel. All he said was.

Are you ill, Miss Brown? Would you care for a glass of water?

drummond-no questions

For the time being, the witness is excused.

Does The prosecution wish to call any further witnesses?

davenport -Not at the present time, your honor

We shall proceed with the case for the defense, Colonel Drummond.

Drummond: would you rule out testimony that the so-called murder weapon was incapable of firing a bullet?

(hesitantly) I failed to grasp the learned council’s meaning.

Brady: and I refuse to allow these agnostic scientist to employ this courtroom as a sounding board as a platform from which they could shout their hairs into the headlines!

(hesitantly) Colonel Drummond, the court rules that zoology is irrelevant to the case.

Brady: objection

objection sustained

drummond: In one breath, does the court deny the existence of zoology, geology, and archaeology

We do not deny the existence of the sciences, but they do not relate to this point of law

Drummond_ for it is my intent to show this court would Bertram Cates spoke quietly one spring afternoon and the Hillsborough high school is no crime. It is in controvertible as geometry and every enlightenment community of minds.

In this community, Colonel Drummond, and in this sovereign state exactly the opposite is the case. the language of the laws are clear, we do not need experts to question the validity of the law that is already on the books .

Drummond. In other words, the court rules out any expert testimony on Charles Darwin, origin of species or descent of men.

The court so rules

Drummond. With the court, admit expert testimony regarding a book known as the holy Bible.

( hesitant, turns to brady) Any objection Colonel Brady?

davenport: your honor this is preposterous

(Confused.) I ,- well it’s highly unorthodox. I’ve never known an instance where the defense called the prosecuting attorney as a witness.

Davenport. But Colonel Brady.

(Wraps gavel nervously.) The court will support you if you wish to decline to testify- as a witness against your own case.

Brady. Your honor, I shall not testify against anything. I shall speak out as I have my life on behalf of the living truth of the holy Scriptures..

(To maker in a nervous whisper.) Mr. meeker you’d better swear in the witness please.

Davenport-if he’s going to examine the Colonel Brady on the Bible, let him stick to the Bible, the holy Bible, and only the Bible

(clears throat) you will confine your question to the Bible

davenport-your Honor where is this leading us? What does it have to do with the state versus Bertram case?

( gavels the spectors quiet) Colonel Drummond, the court must be satisfied that this line of questioning has some bearing on the case.

Drummond. You know that’s not true. I’m trying to stop you bigots and ignorant mousses from controlling the education of the United States and you know it.

(The judge Judge hammers for order)( shouting) I shall ask the baliff to clear the court unless there is order here.

Brady. All of you know what I stand for what I believe.

Your excuse, Colonel Brady your excuse, Colonel Brady.

Brady-judges, Ruth first Samuel

The court is adjourned till 10 o’clock tomorrow morning( gavel)