Implied Consent: Act III, Scene III

A Play on the Sanctity of Human Life, in Four Acts

This is a part of Mr. Stolyarov's play, Implied Consent. To navigate through the various parts of the play, go here.

(Enter MARK and VICTORIA into the space immediately in front of the courthouse, where numerous REPORTERS, as well as NEVILLE and WALTONFORD, are already gathered.)

VICTORIA: I shall go in already, dearest, and let you speak to the defense if you wish. After all, I would not want to overhear any secret information you are exchanging amongst yourselves. (She enters the courthouse.)

MARK (approaching NEVILLE and WALTONFORD): Greetings, gentlemen.

NEVILLE: Mr. Mark.

WALTONFORD: Mr. Mark.

MARK: I, too, of course, am regretful that the trial has begun so early, but how fares your project, Dr. Waltonford? You were working overtime on it, correct?

WALTONFORD: Correct, and I have accomplished much, yet much remains to be done. I would say, if the work continues at the present pace, two more weeks would be needed before the... desired outcome... is attained.

NEVILLE: But unfortunate tidings may still be ahead. Do remember that this is a civil suit, and all the conventionally time-consuming procedures preceding criminal trials, such as jury selection, crime scene investigations, and narrowing down of suspects, are absent. We are arguing before one man, who is not likely to deliberate his decision at length after all the arguments are presented, and will not need to spend time negotiating the verdict with other people. So, even if Roberts does not know that he had better win this case in two weeks' time if his arguments that Mr. Grummond is not alive are to have any validity, circumstances still favor such a speedy outcome.

MARK: But what of appeals? Can you not always appeal the verdict to a higher court, and thus have all the time you need?