Jury Duty

The thirty-year-old secretary was called to jury duty yesterday. Was actually very excited to go. Excitement evaporated quickly. Developed an instant dislike toward fellow juror, a man in a straw fedora who sat down next to me. Feel strongly that weird hats on men indicate a bad personality. (Although writing this now, it seems that the only bad personality in evidence is my own.) The clerk in charge of the Jurors fancied himself a comedian. A harried young mother came in with a baby strapped to her back and a four year old walking next to a stroller, which the mother pushed. The clerk said into the microphone, "as you can see ladies and gentlemen, we've lowered the age for jury service." Clerk then told everyone to turn off cell phones and pagers. Said that since 9-11 he didn't know Who Was a Juror and Who Was a Terrorist and that because of this phones had to be turned off (?) and that if phones didn't get turned off that Homeland Security would get involved. Also claimed that last week he told a woman to turn her phone off, Woman said "you can go to hell." He said, "she is still a guest of the Federal Government." Find this story highly unlikely. But still made me feel that I am now living in a Police State. Feeling accentuated by the coldness of the room and the Short Film that we were compelled to watch. The film started with a shot of dirty Middle Ages people in cloaks and tunics dragging a man to the edge of a lake. They tie up his hands and legs and throw him in the water. This was a demonstration of Trial by Ordeal. The film then traced the history of the trial by jury. The film maintained that in Roman times, there was no jury, just a judge. This was illustrated with a drawing of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, carrying The Cross. Film also clips from Perry Mason. Decided film some sort of propaganda. Most other Jurors were chosen to go to the Vior Dires. But not me. Left in large cold room with 5 other Jurors. Felt panic about not having anything to eat. Saw somebody else go to vending machines which I'd convinced myself were only for the bailiffs. Bought and ate M&Ms too quickly. Read. Went to the bathroom many times. Began to get worried about frequency or urniation (maybe have a bladder infection? worse?)

Finally released for lunch. Coming back from lunch saw Animal wedged in wheel well of a car. At first thought that the animal was a squirrel, but much too big. Raccoon? Only then noticed 3 other people wondering the same sorts of things. Woman says, I think it is a Badger. Think a Badger is very, very unlikely. I Don't think so, I said. I think it is a raccoon. Its tail doesn't have Rings. Not all Raccoon's tails are Banded, I say with authority. (Is this true?) Couldn't stick around to see how things turned out because late to jury duty. In the very cold room had fantasy about the Raccoon jumping out from hiding place and Biting me. Would have to call clerk and say, sorry, in the hospital because bit by a raccoon.

Was released from Jury Duty early. Called in to the office. Which was a mistake. The vice-boss answered the phone. Thought that I would try to be somebody else but knew that I couldn't pull it off. Vice-boss said to come back to the office.