The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck

prisoner is guilty of murder and recommends a death sentence.’ Do you wish me to read the statements of the soldiers?”
    Lanser sighed. “No.” He turned to Alex. “You don’t deny that you killed the captain, do you?”
    Alex smiled sadly. “I hit him,” he said. “I don’t know that I killed him.”
    Orden said, “Good work, Alex!” And the two looked at each other as friends.
    Loft said, “Do you mean to imply that he was killed by someone else?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Alex. “I only hit him, and then somebody hit me.”
    Colonel Lanser said, “Do you want to offer any explanation? I can’t think of anything that will change the sentence, but we will listen.”
    Loft said, “I respectfully submit that the colonel should not have said that. It indicates that the court is not impartial.”
    Orden laughed dryly. The colonel looked at him and smiled a little. “Have you any explanation?” he repeated.
    Alex lifted a hand to gesture and the other came with it. He looked embarrassed and put them in his lap again. “I was mad,” he said. “I have a pretty bad temper. He said I must work. I am a free man. I got mad and I hit him. I guess I hit him hard. It was the wrong man.” He pointed at Loft. “That’s the man I wanted to hit, that one.”
    Lanser said, “It doesn’t matter whom you wanted to hit. Anybody would have been the same. Are you sorry you did it?” He said aside to the table, “It would look well in the record if he were sorry.”
    â€œSorry?” Alex asked. “I’m not sorry. He told me to go to work—me, a free man! I used to be alderman. He said I had to work.”
    â€œBut if the sentence is death, won’t you be sorry then?”
    Alex sank his head and really tried to think honestly. “No,” he said. “You mean, would I do it again?”
    â€œThat’s what I mean.”
    â€œNo,” Alex said thoughtfully, “I don’t think I’m sorry.”
    Lanser said, “Put in the record that the prisoner was overcome with remorse. Sentence is automatic. Do you understand?” he said to Alex. “The court has no leeway. The court finds you guilty and sentences you to be shot immediately. I do not see any reason to torture you with this any more. Captain Loft, is there anything I have forgotten?”
    â€œYou’ve forgotten me,” said Orden. He stood up and pushed back his chair and stepped over to Alex. And Alex, from long habit, stood up respectfully. “Alexander, I am the elected Mayor.”
    â€œI know it, sir.”
    â€œAlex, these men are invaders. They have taken our country by surprise and treachery and force.”
    Captain Loft said, “Sir, this should not be permitted.”
    Lanser said, “Hush! Is it better to hear it, or would you rather it were whispered?”
    Orden went on as though he had not been interrupted. “When they came, the people were confused and I was confused. We did not know what to do or think. Yours was the first clear act. Your private anger was the beginning of a public anger. I know it is said in town that I am acting with these men. I can show the town, but you—you are going to die. I want you to know.”
    Alex dropped his head and then raised it. “I know, sir.”
    Lanser said, “Is the squad ready?”
    â€œOutside, sir.”
    â€œWho is commanding?”
    â€œLieutenant Tonder, sir.”
    Tonder raised his head and his chin was hard and he held his breath.
    Orden said softly, “Are you afraid, Alex?”
    And Alex said, “Yes, sir.”
    â€œI can’t tell you not to be. I would be, too, and so would these young—gods of war.”
    Lanser said, “Call your squad.” Tonder got up quickly and went to the door. “They’re here, sir.” He opened the door wide and the