kin try, can't I?

JUDGE
Oh yeah, you kin try, but I kin see right now where he's gointer git all
de time dat God ever made dat ain't been used already. From now on.
(To LAWYER)
Go 'head, and spread yo' lungs all over Georgy, but he's goin' to jail!
Mules _must_ be respected.

LAWYER
(Striking a pose at the bar)
Your Honor,
(Looks at the pretty girl)
Ladies and Gentlemen--

JUDGE
Never mind 'bout dat lady. You talk yo' chat to _me_.

LAWYER
This is a clear case of syllogism! Again I say syllogism. My client is
innocent because it was a dark night when they say he stole the mule and
that's against all laws of syllogism.
(JUDGE looks impressed and laughs)

JUDGE
Dat ole fool do know somethin' 'bout law.

LAWYER
When George Washington was pleading de case of Marbury vs. Madison, what
did _he_ say? What _did_ he say? Scintillate, scintillate, Globule
orific. Fain would I fathom thy nature's specific. Loftily poised in
ether capacious, strongly resembling a gem carbonacious. What did
Abraham Lincoln say about mule-stealing? When torrid Phoebut refuses his
presence and ceases to lamp with fierce incandescence, then you illumine
the regions supernal, scintillate, scintillate, semper noctornal.
Syllogism, again I say syllogism.
(He takes his seat amid applause)

JUDGE
Man, youse a pleadin' fool. You knows yo' rules and by-laws.

OTHER LAWYER
Let me show my glory. Let me spread my habeas corpus.

JUDGE
'Tain't no use. Dis lawyer done convinced me.

OTHER LAWYER
But, lemme parade my material--

JUDGE
Parade yo' material anywhere you wants to exceptin' befo' me. Dis lil
girl wants to go home and I'm goin' with her and enjoy de consequences.
Court's adjourned.

_CURTAIN_

"FORTY YARDS"

by

ZORA *[Handwritten: (Neale)] HURSTON

"FORTY YARDS"

(A Negro football game with the
popular concept of Negro life)

TIME: Present

PLACE: Washington, D.C.

SCENE: The Ball Park

PERSONS: The Howard and Lincoln teams, the Howard band, cheer
leaders, spectators.

SETTING: The park with grandstands on either sides and up-stage.

ACTION: At rise, the grandstands are full, the cheer leaders
are violently gyrating to whip u