The Witness
Judge: Call Witness A.
Witness A is ushered in, and takes a seat.
Judge: Now, take your time, and tell us about the incident that took place on the night of the 25th of March. In your own words.
Witness: I was quietly walking home from the cinema, minding my own business when the accused stopped me.
Prosecution Attorney: How did he do that. Tell the court.
Witness: He stood in front of me barring my route.
Prosecution: Was that all he did?
Witness: No, your honour, he grabbed me by the throat and asked me to give him all my money.
Prosecution Attorney: And did you.
Witness: Aye, I did. All the money I had on me.
Prosecution Attorney: Was that all? Did he then go away? Answer his lordship.
Witness: No sir. After he took the money, he slapped me quite hard on the face.
Prosecution Attorney: And then he went away, right?
Witness: No sir, I fell on the ground.
Prosecution Attorney: He left you there and went his way?
Witness: No sir, he began kicking me hard. In the back, in the groin, in my face. I was bleeding, and I had broken a rib.
Prosecution Attorney: And then he went away.
Witness bursts into tears.
Judge Answer the question… take your time.
Prosecution Attorney: In your own words.
Witness: (Through tears) I… (sobs) … I cannot go on.
Judge: But you must. Or I will hold you in contempt of court.
Witness: (Makes a great effort to calm down) And then, my lord, he … he … called me motherfucker!
(Is that a paraprosdokian?)
