British Comedy Guide

The Trial of Willy Wonka, Day One

Hey, the title's gotta grab ya, if nothing else! Laughing out loud

Scene (who wants to guess? You, down in the front...?):- a courtroom. The counsel for the prosecution is interrogating Willy Wonka, who is in the dock, while three boys and a girl are in the front row, flanked by lawyers and parents. They are clearly the plaintiffs. Prosecutor steps up to Wonka, who is in full regalia, a bemused look on his face.

Pros: "Now, Mister Wonka, I want you to consider my next question very carefully before answering. On their tour of your facility, did you or did you not promise to transport these four children (expansive sweep of the arm towards the plaintiffs) to another land?"

WW: "I --- Well, that is, I --- I don't believe so, sir."

Pros: "Really? I see." Rubs chin. Turns to the judge. "Your Honour, I would like to enter into evidence for consideration Exhibit 15A9, this taped recording of the defendant singing during the aforementioned tour." The judge nods.

Judge: "Proceed, Mister Walters, but be advised I expect this to lead to something. I will not condone any fishing expeditions."

WW: "Fishing! I like fishing! Especially in the chocolate pond. Oh, the things you can catch---"

Judge: "The defendant will be silent, unless directly questioned. Do you understand, Mister Wonka?"

WW (doffs hat deferentially): "Yes, Your Honour. My apologies."

Prosecutor: "Please play the tape, bailiff."

The bailiff depresses the play button on the small tape deck and Wonka's voice floats out, singing: "Come with me, and we'll be in a world of pure imagination. You will find..."

Pros: "That's enough, thank you." Tape clicks off. Pros turns back to Wonka. "Now, is that your voice on the tape recorder, sir? I remind you you are under oath."

WW: "Yes. Yes it is."

Pros: "So, would you be so kind as to tell the court where this land is, then? This land of pure imagination, to which you were to transport my clients?"

WW: "What? Oh you can't be serious! It's a song, just a song. Nonsense. It's not meant to be taken literally."

Pros (shaking head): "Not meant to be taken literally, he repeats. "I see. So you would agree then that you had no intention, ever, of taking my clients to this "land of pure imagination", Mister Wonka?"

WW: "Look, you're getting this all wrong. I just ---"

Pros (firmly and sternly): "Yes or no, Mister Wonka! Did you intend to take my clients, these four innocent, unsuspecting children, to this land of pure imagination?"

WW: "Well I could hardly do so if it doesn't..."

Pros: "Yes or no, sir? Your Honour?" This with a look to the judge, who frowns at Wonka.

Judge: "The accused will answer as directed."

WW (shoulders sagging): "No sir, I did not."

Pros: "No. You did not, sir. In fact, In fact, is it not true, sir, that far from taking these children to the land of pure imagination, you were quite aware all the time, and always have been, that this land does in fact not exist?"

WW: "Well of course it doesn't. It's a song, you ---"

Pros: "A simple yes or no is all that is required, Mister Wonka."

WW: "Then no."

Pros (triumphantly): "So, to recap then. You promised to take my clients to a land which you knew did not exist. You entered into a contract with my clients, sir, and you broke that contract, willingly, knowingly and with malice aforethought."

WW: "What? What are you talking about, man? They're kids! They won a trip to see my chocolate factory! I showed them around, sang a few songs, we played a few games..."

Judge: "Mister Wonka! You have been warned once already that you are not to speak unless a question is directed towards you, and then only to answer that question. If you persist in these rambling diatribes I will hold you in contempt of court. Do we understand each other, sir?"

WW: "Yes, Your Honour."

Pros: "Thank you My Lord. So, now we come to it, Mister Wonka. Having enticed these four children onto your property by means of a competition, which you ran yourself, you engaged in a contract with them which was not only broken, but would have never been enforcable, as the land you promised to take them to does not, as you have sworn here under oath, in fact exist. You took the naivete and innocence of children, sir, and you abused it. No further questions."

Judge: "I believe this would be a good time to recess. We shall continue this trial tomorrow at ten o'clock. Court is adjourned."

More to come....

I found it nicely written and it kept my interest but it was a little low on laughs (I suppose jury duty isn't the giggle-fest it's cracked up to be). How many days is the trial expected to last?

Bo.

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