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MonkeyNotes-Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee
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Act 1, Scene 2

Summary

The scene is set in the courtroom a few days later. Mr. Brady and Mr. Drummond are choosing a jury. They are down to the last two jurors. Mr. Brady is questioning Mr. Bannister, a man who is obviously eager to serve on the jury. Brady asks Mr. Bannister if he attends church regularly. Mr. Bannister says he only attends on Sundays. Brady accepts him for the jury. Mr. Drummond questions him next. When he finds out that Mr. Bannister has not ever read anything about evolution, Darwin, or even the Bible because he cannot read, Drummond also accepts him as a juror. Before the next person is called, Mr. Brady asks the judge if the men in the courtroom can remove their jackets. The judge grants permission. Mr. Drummond says the court may be offended by his purple suspenders. When Brady makes fun of his Chicago fashion, Drummond says he purchased the suspenders in Brady's hometown of Weeping Water, Nebraska.

The next candidate for the jury is called; he is Jesse H. Dunlap, a farmer and cabinetmaker. After proclaiming that he believes in the word of God and in Matthew Harrison Brady, he is accepted onto the jury by Brady. Drummond, however, immediately refuses to accept Dunlap. Brady objects that Drummond has rejected the man without questioning him. Drummond asks the man how he is. The man says he is hot. Drummond says that he is finished questioning the man and that he has not changed his mind. The judge excuses Dunlap from jury duty.

Before the next candidate is called, Drummond objects to the judge calling Mr. Brady "Colonel Brady." He says the term brings forth an image of Brady on a white horse riding in to save the day. After some discussion, the Mayor also appoints Drummond a temporary Honorary Colonel. Now both attorneys are referred to with the title Colonel.


The next candidate for the jury is George Sillers, who works at the local feed store. Brady questions and accepts him. Then Drummond questions Sillers, asking him about his religious devotion. He finds out that Sillers leaves religion to his wife; therefore, Drummond accepts him. Brady now wants to reject him, but Drummond reminds the court that Brady has already accepted Sillers. Brady counters that he wants the jury to be made up of people who conform to the "laws and patterns of society." Drummond claims that Brady wants the jury to be run through a meat grinder to come out all looking alike. Brady angrily recalls Drummond's defense of the Endicott Publishing case, a case of obscenity. According to Brady, Drummond twisted the minds of the jury to such a degree that they thought obscenity was only in their minds not on the page of a book. Brady states that he considers such tactics to be immoral. Drummond answers that he only wants to prevent "the clock-stoppers from dumping a load of medieval nonsense into the United States Constitution." The judge reminds him it is not a federal court, so its findings will not go into the law books. Drummond answers that he has to start somewhere.

The judge calls a recess and announces that there will be a prayer meeting on the courthouse lawn. Drummond objects to the judge's "commercial announcement." He also objects to the banner "Read Your Bible!" posted outside the courthouse. He wants to remove it or to post another sign beside it that states, "Read Your Darwin!" The judge does not answer, but again announces the recess. Everyone leaves the courtroom, rallying around Brady. Drummond packs up his briefcase as Rachel stands with Bert Cates.

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MonkeyNotes-Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee

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