Posted on May 22, 2012 at 2:23 am

People of Atlanta

FIDDLIN’ JOHN
People of Atlanta stand together on this day!

And now TOM WATSON rises up from the crowd, waving his newspaper in the air.

TOM WATSON
I have come to Atlanta with a message from the lord!

FIDDLIN’ JOHN
People of Atlanta
Swear that someone’s Gonna pay!

TOM WATSON
I have come
To see the Devil
get his just
and true reward!

ENSEMBLE (variously)
Jimmy!
What’s he gonna
Say? Hey,
Get Away
from that window!
Jimmy!
Well!
We’re gonna see ‘im
get his just
and true reward!

ENSEMBLE (variously)
Looka this! Wait!
Boy You Better Move!
I See ‘im on the Way!
Yes!
gonna see him
get his just
and true reward!

The courtroom has come into view.

FIDDLIN’ JOHN
People of Atlanta,
Better bow your heads in shame
There’s a man who came
And spit on your fine city’s name!

People of Atlanta,
All are victims of this crime!
It is time now!

THREE WOMEN
Amen!

SEVERAL MEN
Lemme at ‘im!

CROWD
Watch out!

WATSON
It is time now!

ALL
It is time now!

WATSON
It is time…

LEO is brought into the courtroom, manacled, by GUARDS.  ROSSER comes in from the street in a rumpled white suit.  HE waves to the crowd like a man running for office.

ROSSER (to various people)
Hey!  Hey now!  Good to see ya!  Hey there, Mr. Craig!  You write somethin’ nice down about Leo’s tie.  His sweet ol’ Mama sent it to him for good luck.

LEO
She did not!

He joins LEO at the defense table.  LEO looks at him in disbelief in the face of this lie.

ROSSER
Stay with me, Leo.
He looks around.
Where’s your better half?

LEO
I wish I knew!

STARNES
All rise.

LEO
My god! That judge!

ROSSER
Not much we can do about that.

JUDGE ROAN
Mr. Dorsey…

THEY take their seats. JUDGE ROAN bangs his gavel and DORSEY rises.
The crowd begins murmuring as the doors open and LUCILLE enters the courtroom quietly.  ROSSER calls to her.

ROSSER
Miz Frank!

She makes her way to the empty chair, eyes demurely cast down.  She does not look at Leo as she takes her seat. DORSEY waits patiently. The JUDGE motions for him to continue.

JUDGE ROAN
Get on with it, Mr. Dorsey.