Alec versus Angel
“All rise the right
Honourable Judge Past Judgment presiding.”
“State the case.”
“Mr. Angel Clare versus
Mr. Alec d'Urberville.”
“Defense call your first
witness.”
“Your honour we, of the
defense, are going to prove that it is not Mr. d'Urberville who is at
fault in this case but rather the person of Mr. Clare. To prove this
point I shall call one witness your honour and only one. Your Honour
we, of the defense, call Mr. Alec d'Urberville take the stand?”
“Will Mr. d'Urberville
take the stand?”
“State your full name.”
“Alec d'Urberville.”
“Place your right hand on
the Bible.”
“I swear by all mighty God
to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help
me God.”
“Now, Mr. d'Urberville do
you recall the conversation that you had with a Miss Tess Durberfield
the day after that fateful night?”
“Yes.”
“Do you recall the promise
that you made her?”
“Yes.”
“Will you please state
this promise the the Judge?”
Hesitation.
“I said: 'Upon my lost
soul, I won't be bad toward you again, Tess. And if certain
circumstances should arise—you understand—in which you are in the
least need, the least difficulty, send me one line, and you shall
have by return whatever you require.' ” (p. 106)
“Thank you, Mr. d'Urberville. Do you also recall the action that you took when Miss
Tess Durberfield came to you broken hearted and alone?”
“I invited her into my
home.”
“I submit to you, Your
Honour, that these are the actions, pure and simple, of a man taken
so badly with the the seductive beauty of one woman that he can not
help but love her.”
“Love, ha! Lust is what it
was! You should be hanged.”
“I, at least, do not hide
under the disguise of a gentleman. I told her once that I was 'a damn
bad fellow. I was born bad, and I have lived bad, and I shall die bad
in all probability.'” (p. 106) “This is far more than your
cowardly voice could ever utter.”
“Mr. d'Urberville and Mr.
Clare if you persist in this childish behaviour you will be found in
contempt of court. Do you understand?”
“Yes, your Honour.”
“Yes, your Honour.”
“Then can I gather from
this that there will be no more disruptions in my court?!”
“Yes, your Honour.”
“Yes, your Honour.”
“Then the defense may
continue with his case.”
“Thank you, your Honour.
My client, in a rude way, perhaps, has brought to light an important
point. It is simply this, that he never lied to the girl. He was
always quite honest with her in all respects. All that was done to
Miss Tess Durberfield was done out of love and honesty. With these
points well made, the defense rests. The witness is now yours my
honourable associate.”
“Mr. d'Urberville is it
not true that Miss Tess Durberfield did once state her puzzlement
towards your supposedly honest actions in the form of this statement:
'I didn't understand your meaning till it was too late.' ?” (p.
105)
“Yes, but...”
“A simple yes or no is all
that is required Mr. d'Urberville.”
“Yes.”
“Is it not true, that this
sort of behaviour has taken place before.”
“I do not understand your
meaning?”
“Is it not true, Mr. d'Urberville, that you have got young maidens in the family way
before?”
“I do not make a hobby of
it if that is what you mean.”
“A simple yes or no.”
“Yes.”
“Is it not true, Mr. d'Urberville, that Miss Tess Durberfield did once stat that she did
not return affections in the form of this statement: 'My eyes were
dazed by you for a little, and that was all.' ” (p. 105)
“Yes.”
“How did this comment make
you feel Mr. d'Urberville? And may I remind you that you are under
oath.”
“A little hurt that she
did not return my affections. A little envious of the man she may
choose to love.”
“Is it not possible such
feelings could lead you to take actions that later you had cause to
regret?”
“I suppose it may.”
“Could this possibly be
the reason that Miss Tess Durberfield bore your child. Could you have
possibly felt that the fact that she did not desire you justified
your molding her life so that no man would want her?”
“Surely, your Honour can
see that my client can not possibly answer such a question?”
“Your Honour, I withdraw
the question.”
“Defense, have you
finished presenting your case?”
Sharing my author journey...
Two truths that I discovered (or re-discovered) about writing this week...
Two truths that I discovered (or re-discovered) about writing this week...
"Makes an islander proud"
Mayne Island's fall fair
photos by Leanne Dyck
I'd rather work on (edit) a story that's showing potential then start from scratch on a new story.
What you will write about...
The stories you will tell...
They are all per-determined by the truths you have lived.
What is story?
Character arch (does your character change (grow) from the beginning of the story?)
Plot (situation, action, consequences)
And you? What truths have you (re) discovered recently?
