15–16
Justice
First case: the Academy versus Drink. Let the jury take their seats. Mark the time, Hermes, Drink, open the case.... Not a word? can you do nothing but nod?— Hermes, go and see what is the matter with her.
Hermes
She says she cannot plead, she would only be laughed at; wine has tied her tongues As you see, she can hardly stand.
Justice
Well, there are plenty of able counsel present, ready to shout themselves hoarse for sixpence; let her employ one of them.
Hermes
No one will have anything to do with such a client in open court. But she makes a very reasonable proposal.
Hermes
The Academy is always ready to take both sides; she makes a point of contradicting herself plausibly. ‘Let her speak first on my behalf,’ says Drink, ‘and then on her own.’
Justice
A novel form of procedure. However, goon, Academy; speak on both sides, if you find it so easy.
Academy
First, gentlemen of the jury, let me state the case for Drink, as her time is now being taken.
