For this one, you must convince a jury to convict a gang who tortured a unique kind of victim.
Matt's note: play this one completely straight and see what kind of response you get.
JAKE (any gender, mid twenties through late life)
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury:
I'm going to summarize the incident. Throughout this trial, we've gone into so many technical and financial speculations and details... my own mind feels numb. It's easy to even START this process numb, given who and what Jake is. But before this court, I will tell you that I took this case because the original story... the story of Jake MOVED me.
The story: the group of defendants here before you, this group took Jake from his home. They stripped him of his clothing. They smeared garish makeup all over his face. They took him to a club where he was hurled around, struck several times with beer bottles and then finally thrown onstage where he was forced to perform demeaning acts.
When he finally froze up, he was taken into the back alley. It was there that his head was bashed with a brick... but not before several of his insides had been gouged with a switch blade. Jake was then driven back to his house and dumped on the lawn.
Yes, all damages have been paid. But Jake will never be the same. Jake's FAMILY will never be the same.
I want you all to hold in your minds... the word "if." Would the payment be enough "if"... would we poring over technical details "if".... if... if... if Jake WASN'T a robot?
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"