The Crucible Mock Trial Script

[Comfort Cube]

This is a class project and I want am the scriptwriter. I want to get the feedback of an anonymous audience before the real, nonanonymous one. It's a short play, only 5 pages of dialogue. If you are familiar with The Crucible play, start from the boldfaced part. I tried to write this in the Puritan English of the setting, but if you happen to find mistakes, please do correct. If you realize any symbolism, do say.

We have set this mock trial in Salem, Massachusetts in 1693,
after The Crucible takes place. It follows through with the
consequences of the real Salem Witch Trials, in which, as Robert
Calef (c. 1648 – 1719) describes it, “… Nineteen persons having
been hang’d, and one prest to death, and Eight more condemned, in
all Twenty and Eight, … more than half of them of a good
Conversation in general, and not one clear’d; about Fifty having
confest themselves to be Witches, of which not one Executed;
above an Hundred and Fifty in Prison, and Two Hundred more
accused; …” Majority of those in prison died of sickness and
starvation. Salem’s condition was abysmal, with Hale of the play
noting “…, there are orphans wandering from house to house;
abandoned cattle bellow in the highroads, the stink of rotting
crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry
will end his life— …” However, beyond this point, in order to
make sense of what occurs in the upcoming mock trial, we have
dislodged Salem from the historical timeline and continued it on
a separate path, in which the hanging of John Proctor and Rebecca
Nurse sparked a rebellion and riot against the court in Salem by
the Topsfield faction (led by Francis Nurse), who initiated their
uprising with the trial of those they believed to be responsible,
starting with Abigail Williams, who was found with Mercy Lewis by
a search party Judge Danforth sent into the forest.

At RISE:
In a courtroom in Salem, Massachusetts in 1693. Judge Danforth is
standing at the podium at the center of the stage, towards the
back. Defendant Abigail Williams and her attorneys and defendant
witnesses are to the left of Danforth, while the prosecution is
to his right. The crowd, already seated and waiting, is murmuring
and. The court room is in a bit of disorder. In the back, there
is a young man, who is standing but suspiciously not chatting,
his eyes focused on JUDGE DANFORTH.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Decorum in the court! The court is now in
session! Decorum! (CHEEVER begins the recording of the
proceedings)

Everyone quickly quiets down and silence falls upon
the room. The young man remains standing, now beginning to
shake.

JUDGE DANFORTH: (notices the young man and is surprised. With
impatience) I say, young man, did you not hear me? Sit you down!
The young man remains standing, his trembling growing
by the second.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Look you, Mister, I will not have this! Wherefore
do you get the mind for such contemptuous riot? Remove that man,
Marsh—“

The young man suddenly pulls out a dagger and runs
straight at JUDGE DANFORTH, roaring at the top of his
voice. Both MARSHAL HERRICK and HATHORNE quickly tackle him
to the ground. People gasp. The young man struggles and
then hurls the dagger at Judge Danforth but misses.
YOUNG MAN: You will suffer you ignorant dog! The fire of Hell
shall consume the likes of you! (turning to ABIGAIL, he spits and
glares menacingly at her. Then begins struggling and yelling
again. Herrick and Hathorne drag him away. Everyone is speechless
and dumbfounded; even Cheever has taken his eyes of the recording
document.)

JUDGE DANFORTH: (taken aback and stands up in his outrage) How
dare you! I say, how dare you! Have you the wit to understand who
I am? (to all)I am the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts! I am the
Law and the Law is divine! He who dares rebel against the Law
rebel against God Himself!

Nobody dares to move or speak. It is a near impossible
silence. Herrick AND Hathorne return and break that
silence.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Herrick, bring in all the guards. (Herrick
follows as commanded and quickly brings in the guards). (after a
slight pause) We are gathered here by the mercy of God and the
State of Massachusetts. This is a high court, and it be not
necessary to remind any of you of the punishment that befalls
upon those who forget that! (realizes he is still standing and
sits back down) Now, let this trial recommence. Hathorne. The
charges.

Hathorne hands Judge Danforth the document listing the
charges.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Abigail Williams is charged with multiple counts
of perjury and multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder.
Abigail Williams, what say you?

ABIGAIL: (with a sob) Innocent.

(one from the crowd calls out “Liar!”, and within the
instant the guards take her out)

JUDGE DANFORTH: May the prosecution recite their opening
statement.

Hale approaches the stand.

HALE: Salem was established a mere 40 years ago. T’was a new
province but t’was a budding one. A progressing one. And yet,
with a few words, this woman toppled our Salem over into madness
and panic and paranoia. Through her lying, through her fraud, and
in the process, through her murder of the innocent, Salem is in
abyss. Surely no woman of white name may cause such destruction.

Hale leaves the stand.

JUDGE DANFORTH: The defense may now make his statement.

Joseph McCarthy approaches the stand.

McCARTHY: Abigail Williams is a Christian. Is it not the duty of
a Christian to point out what be the Devil’s work? And what be
the result? She would be mocked. She would even be stabbed! One
must be daft to believe that this little girl is capable of such
diabolic lying and murder! Simply wording it out boggles the
mind. Let not it be remembered that Salem damns those that stay
loyal to Christ! That Salem damns children! And, to Mr. Hale, the
State was infested with witches. I have here ‘pon my hand a list
of 205—a list of names that were known to the Deputy Governor as
being agents of the Devil and who have been put away thanks to
the holy cause of Abigail and the girls and our great government.
McCarthy leaves the stand.

JUDGE DANFORTH: We shall now bring up the witnesses. The lawyers
may call whomsoever they wish to question. Mr. Hale, if you will.

HALE: (stands) I would call Reverend Samuel Parris to the stand.

Parris walks up to the stand.

HALE: You had raised Abigail Williams, yes?

PARRIS: Aye.

HALE: Since she was no more than this height (gestures with his
hand), yes?

PARRIS: Aye.

HALE: And before that, she was but an orphan? A helpless little
girl?

PARRIS: Aye.

HALE: There are some rumors that you do not really appreciate,
with no offence intended, the company of children. Would you
agree?
PARRIS: Aye.

HALE: And yet, you took her in?

PARRIS: Aye (smiles with satisfaction that his charity is
recognized)

HALE: Very charitable one must admit (both smile at each other).
But then, what comes? She repays this charity by blackening your
name. By making you vulnerable to your enemies. What say you to
that?

(Parris remains silent out of inability to express his resentment
of the injustice)

HALE: And this be not enough. She yet seeks to undermine you more
by stealing every last pound, your life’s savings, essentially
making you even more degenerate than the lowest London beggar.
And this be after lying to you. And more, if t’was not already
black, she vanishes without so much as a thank you or farewell.
What say y—

PARRIS: (enraged) She is an ungrateful liar!

HALE: So she is not to be trusted?

PARRIS: (not completely aware of what he is saying) Be the Devil
more honest! (crowd gasps)

HALE: So, her claims then, her accusations of witchcraft to tens
of innocent people, be naught but fraud?

PARRIS: (realizes now) Urr… No. I mean, yes… You twist—

HALE: No further questions.

Hale returns to his seat. Parris pauses for a few
moments, stunned at what he was led to say.

JUDGE DANFORTH: (beginning to feel nervous) McCarthy. Your turn.

McCarthy stands to take his turn to question Parris.

McCARTHY: You are the minister of the church, yes?

PARRIS: (with dignity) Aye.

McCARTHY: And forgiveness, t’is a great thing, yes? In fact, we
be lost without forgiveness, yes?

PARRIS: Aye.

McCARTHY: Then, sir, may you find it in your heart to forgive
Abigail?

HALE: Objection! What signify this?

JUDGE DANFORTH: What say you McCarthy?

McCARTHY: I only follow Mr. Hale’s line of questioning, your
Honor. T’is only fair.

JUDGE DANFORTH: (thinks on it) Indeed. Overruled.

McCARTHY: Mr. Parris?

PARRIS: T’is a perso—(stops and realizes he needs the same
forgiveness from the town). Ur… Aye. I forgive.

McCARTHY: Would you look to Abigail and repeat that?

PARRIS: (looks to Abigail) I forgive you.

McCARTHY: She is only a little girl, yes?

PARRIS: Aye. A little mischievous but a little girl, nonetheless.

McCARTHY: And she is Christian, yes?

PARRIS: There be no doubt ‘bout that. She is my step daughter
‘fter all.

McCARTHY: And as such, it be her duty to point out the Devil’s
agents where she may find them, yes? Not just for herself, but
for the sake of the nation?

PARRIS: Aye.

McCARTHY: And surely the minister’s daughter may only intend good
for Salem?

PARRIS: (with urgent desire for people to agree) Aye, of course.

McCARTHY: No further questions.

McCarthy and Parris return to their seats.

JUDGE DANFORTH: (content with the rebuttal) Mr. Hale. Would you
call your next witness?

HALE: I would call the plaintiff, Francis Nurse.

Francis Nurse walks to the stand.

HALE: Mr. Nurse. How would you describe yourself?

FRANCIS: I have 500 acres to my name. I am old and have seen
much. I have been an arbiter to many affairs, and now, it seems
it was all for naught. My dear wife was innocent. She was. And
now she and many with her be hang’d by evidence of girls’
fraudulent testimonies! Has the world gone daft! Have we lost all
judgement!

JUDGE DANFORTH: (interrupting) Do you mean to say I have gone
daft? Do you doubt my probity?

FRANCIS: No, no. You mistake me, sir. I—

JUDGE DANFORTH: Ow, I am mistaken. I see.

FRANCIS: No, no. I simply, uh, I—

HALE: He just meant say his mind. The man has been thro—

JUDGE DANFORTH: Say what’s on his mind? Be we Quakers, now?

Hale attempts to reply, but Judge Danforth continues.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Mr. Francis. I never thought a man of such high
regard be part of such a crowd. Guards! Clap this man for
treason! I will not have such clear rebellion!

Guards begin to take him away and arrest him.

FRANCIS: But sir! I have done no wrong!

HALE: Excellency, surely you be sporting! He say but a few words!

JUDGE DANFORTH: (to all) A few words is all it takes to cause
madness!

Francis is taken away. The crowd gasps.

HALE: Your honor!

JUDGE DANFORTH: Mr. Hale! I shall clap you for contempt if you
speak one more word on it! Now sit you down! (composes himself
again) McCarthy. Your witness.

McCARTHY: (satisfied things are going his way) I shall call the
defendant, Abigail Williams.

Abigail Williams takes the stand.

McCARTHY: Just one question. Why did you leave Salem?
ABIGAIL: There were people threatening me with my life. I had
seen my blood running from my body. A dagger appear on my Uncle’s
door. There be those that say t’was out of guilt but t’was out of
fear of my life! I am only a girl. Must I be prosecuted for
acting as any girl would?

McCarthy: The defense rests.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Mr. Hale

HALE: (stands to question) You believe you have been doing God’s
work, yes?

ABIGAIL: Aye, I thought it clear th—

HALE: (gestures with his hand to interrupt) How do you know? I
have many years of learning in me, for I must, to judge that
which be the Devil’s work and that which be just pretense. How
can you claim to do what I do with none of the knowledge and
wisdom?

ABIGAIL: (indignant and feeling insulted) Why, my eyes do not
lie! I have seen all forms of evil be done – the spirit of people
and their forms! I ha—

Suddenly, a strong, manly voice is heard. His sound
encompasses the entire room but not because he is shouting.
It is as if something amplifies his voice.

Voice of Unknown Man: ABIGAIL!

All turn to look for the source. Enter the Ghost of
John Proctor. He walks in and straight for Abigail, then, stops a
step away from her. All look on in disbelief.

GHOST OF PROCTOR: (with utter conviction) THIS IS WHAT A SPIRIT
LOOKS LIKE.

All begin screaming. Some run for the doors.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Hold it! Hold it! T’is a spirit loose! Latch all
the doors! We must find the source! Hold it!

The guards latch the doors and hold the runners back.

JUDGE DANFORTH: Abigail! Who be responsible?

ABIGAIL: (incredulously) J-J-Joh-John Proctor!

JUDGE DANFORTH: That is clear! Who be conjurin’!?

ABIGAIL: I-I… I don’t know.

JUDGE DANFORTH: You have never failed to know! Come, girl! You
will tell me who!

ABIGAIL: I-I… I—

JUDGE DANFORTH: (turning to the girls) Girls! Who!

The girls are silent. All are speechless.

GHOST OF JOHN PROCTOR: NONE BE CONJURIN’ ME. I AM A SPIRIT OF
TRUTH. THERE ARE NO STRINGS ON ME.

JUDGE DANFORTH: I say, get away! Away I say!

GHOST OF JOHN PROCTOR: (ignoring)(to all) PRAY ALL YOU LISTEN. I
HAVE COME TO SAY WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID. THERE BE GREAT EVIL IN
SALEM, BUT IT NOT BE WITCHCRAFT. A GENERAL VENGEANCE IS ABOUT,
AND THE GIRLS FUEL IT WITH THEIR LIES. STOP THE MADNESS. STOP
LENDING YOUR EARS. IT BRING NAUGHT BUT GREAT GRIEF TO DO AS A
FOOL DOES AND WANTS. STOP IT NOW. PRAY YOU ALL COME TO SENSE.

He walks out as he came in and disappears. Mouths are
open but not a word is said. Cheever has stopped writing.
Seconds pass.

HALE: (clears his throat) The prosecution rests.