#dialogs #livingroom
This non-interactive dialog shows Brianna introducing herself and going through Marjorie's testimony. It depicts the extreme stress Marjorie is in, and how horrific the crime she has witnessed was.
Marjorie, I'm Brianna Alison. I'm the district attorney and will lead the case against Igino Varone.
Yes, I know who you are. Calvin told me that you'd come.
I see. (beat) (friendly) Well. Have you settled in?
Well... yes. I guess. It's... It is like it is.
Yes, I understand. It's not easy.
No, it isn't.
But you manage?
I... (reassuring herself) Yes, I got this.
Great. Thank you so much for your support.
I hope it helps.
Oh, it definitely does. So, if it's okay with you, can we go back to last Friday please?
Yes, okay.
I know it's hard, Marjorie. But can you please tell me what happened?
Again?
Yes. I have to prepare you for the time during the trial. You will have to repeat it there as well and be prepared for questions from the defense attorney.
(sighs)
Yes, I know. I will try to protect you at all times, but there will be questions the judge will allow and that you have to answer. Do you understand?
Yes. I guess.
Okay, so what happened on Friday?
Well, I was out of milk and went to the Shop-O down the street.
What time was it?
7-7:30 pm
Seven or seven thirty? Can you pinpoint the incident more exactly? The time frame might prove to be important.
It was seven thirty. I watched a comedy show I regularly watch and it had just finished, so I was on the street at seven thirty pm. Five minutes to the Shop-O.
Good. Continue.
I walked into the shop and said hi to... To Jazir.
Jazir Bijarani? The man who owned the shop?
(sad) Yes. Jazir.
Okay, please continue.
I went to the fridge to get some milk when I heard an argue over at the counter.
You're doing great, Marjorie.
There... I saw Jazir with the guy they arrested.
Do you know his name?
Varone.
Please say his full name.
(sighs) Igino Varone. He was shouting at Jazir. He was furious. I guess, he didn't know I was around.
What were they arguing about?
I don't know. This Varone guy kept shouting: "You think you can fuck with me? You really think you can fuck with me". Those kinds of words.
And Jazir?
He was terrified. I mean, we all know who Igino Varone is. You don't want him shouting at you.
What do you mean that you all know who he is?
He's "La Famiglia". He's doing all sorts of stuff. Killing people, selling drugs, prostitution...
Marjorie, we don't have any proof of those kind of things.
(angry) But everybody knows he does that!
(calming her down) Maybe, but we have to concentrate on this specific case for which we have your word and a few dozen clues. Okay?
Okay.
Great. Thank you. So Mr. Bijarani was terrified.
Yes. And he said, that he didn't know what Varone was talking about. And then... (still shocked from the events)
All of the sudden... he drew a gun and... pointed at him, and I quickly hid behind a shelf.
How far was this shelf away from the counter?
I don't know. It was the second row in the back where the fridges were. I guess... I guess maybe 30 feet or something.
Okay, go on.
So I hid and Varone kept on shouting and then... (pauses)
Should we take a break?
No, it's... It's fine. Thank you.
Okay.
Then he shot. BAM BAM BAM. Three times. (sobbing) He shot Jazir three times. There was blood everywhere.
What did you do then?
(still sobbing) I was in shock. I still hid behind the shelf. I didn't (sob) scream, I... why didn't I scream? I lost track of time. Then I looked to the counter again, but Varone was gone. I went to (sob) I went to Jazir and... all this blood. (she cries)
Some seconds pass and we just hear Marjorie crying and sobbing. Then:
Can you continue?
(still sobbing, but getting herself together) Yes... yes, okay. (breath) Jazir wasn't breathing anymore, so I took the phone and called 911.
And then?
What do you mean?
You have to tell things exactly and completely as they were. If you leave things out, the defense will rip you open on those.
Okay I... I freaked out. It was all too much, you know?
Yes, I understand. What did you do?
I just ran. I ran home and locked my doors. I expected to get shot every second. I only opened when the police knocked as they were questioning the neighborhood.
Okay. I think, they will ask you why you didn't stay and help Jazi
(interrupts shouting) HE WAS FUCKING DEAD!
(Trying to calm her down) Yes, I know. I can understand that. Please calm down.
(still shouting) I SAW HIM DIE!
Brianna is quiet.
FUCK!
(pauses)
They will ask something like that?
Look, you're the witness. That makes you the defense's enemy. If they can't prove, that you're lying, they have to render you unreliable.
Okay.
The best thing is to stay calm and I know how hard that is. Stay calm and answer their questions truthfully.
Okay. I'll try.
I know. Thank you so much for helping us!
Okay.
END