Monster by Walter Dean Myers

holidays.
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    PETROCELLI
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    Getting back to Mr. King. Would you consider yourself a friend of his or an acquaintance?
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    STEVE
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    An acquaintance.
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    PETROCELLI
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    Mr. Cruz, friend or acquaintance?
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    STEVE
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    Acquaintance.
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    PETROCELLI
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    Mr. Bobo Evans, friend or acquaintance?
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    STEVE
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    Acquaintance.
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    PETROCELLI
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    So you’re acquainted with everyone involved in this robbery, is that—
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    BRIGGS
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    Objection! She knows better than that! She knows better than that!
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    JUDGE
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    Sustained. The jury will disregard the last question. There is no one who was involved in this affair until the jury makes that decision. And yes, Miss Petrocelli, you do know better.
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    PETROCELLI (satisfied)
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    Nothing further.
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    We see STEVE stand shakily and head back to the defense table. He looks out onto the onlookers and sees his parents. His MOTHER forces a smile and his FATHER makes a fist and nods emphatically. We see STEVE sit down, start to pick up a glass of water, and have to put it down because his hand is shaking so badly. O’BRIEN crosses to the desk and writes on the pad in front of STEVE. We see what she has written. It says “TAKE DEEP BREATHS.”
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    O’BRIEN
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    The defense calls George Sawicki.
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    CUT TO: CU of GEORGE SAWICKI.
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    O’BRIEN
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    Mr. Sawicki, do you know the defendant sitting at this table?
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    SAWICKI
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    I’ve known Steve for three years. He’s been in my film club.
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    O’BRIEN
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    Can you give us your opinion of Mr. Harmon’s work?
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    SAWICKI
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    I think he’s an outstanding young man. He is talented, bright, and compassionate. He’s very much involved with depicting his neighborhood and environment in a positive manner.
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    O’BRIEN
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    Do you consider him an honest young man?
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    SAWICKI
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    Absolutely.
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    O’BRIEN
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    When he says he was taking mental notes for a film, would that be a film for your club?
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    SAWICKI
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    Yes.
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    O’BRIEN
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    Nothing further.
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    CU of MR. SAWICKI. He starts to leave the stand but is then held up by the JUDGE.
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    CUT TO: PETROCELLI.
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    PETROCELLI
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    You said you’re a teacher in Mr. Harmon’s school. Do you live in his neighborhood?
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    SAWICKI
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    No, I don’t.
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    PETROCELLI
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    So although you want to vouch for his character, isn’t it fair to say that you don’t know what he does when he goes to his neighborhood and you go home to yours?
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    SAWICKI
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    No, it’s not. His film footage shows me what he’s seeing and, to a large extent, what he’s thinking. And what he sees, the humanity of it, speaks of a very deep character.
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    PETROCELLI
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    What was he doing on the afternoon of December 22nd? Did he show you a film of that day?
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    SAWICKI
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    No, he did not.
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    PETROCELLI
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    Do you feel that the ability to make a film means that someone is honest?
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    SAWICKI
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    It is my belief that to make an honest film, one has to be an honest person. I would say that. And I do believe in Steve’s honesty.
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    PETROCELLI
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    As a matter of fact you like him quite a bit, don’t you?
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    SAWICKI
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    Yes, I do.
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    PETROCELLI
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    Nothing further.
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    O’BRIEN
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    Harmon rests.
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    BRIGGS
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    King rests.
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    CUT TO: STEVE lying on his cot, soaked with sweat. He tries hard to catch his breath. He turns his head to the wall. He lifts one hand and lets it slide slowly down the pale-green wall.
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    CUT TO: INTERIOR: COURTROOM: CU of JAMES KING. He looks around awkwardly as BRIGGS sums up his defense.
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    VO (BRIGGS)
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    So what do we have? We have a man who admits to being part of a robbery accusing another man. And why is he making these accusations? The prosecution would have you believe that bringing Mr. Evans, this