> > > A small town prosecuting¹ attorney called his first > > > witness to the stand in > > > a trial - a grandmotherly, elderly woman. He > > > approached her and asked, "Ms. > > > Jones, do you know me? > > > "She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you Mr. > > > Williams. I've known you since > > > you were a young boy, and frankly², you've been a big > > > disappointment to me. > > > You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate > > > people and talk about > > > them behind their backs. You think you're a rising > > > big shot when you > > > haven't the brains to realize you never will amount > > > to anything more than a > > > two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

> > > > > > The lawyer was stunned³. Not knowing what else to do, > > > he pointed⁴ across the > > > room and asked, "Ms. Williams, do you know the > > > defense⁵ attorney?"

She > > > again replied, "Why, yes I do. I've known Mr. > > > Bradley since he was a > > > youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him for his > > > parents. And he, too, has > > > been a real disappointment to me. He's lazy, > > > bigoted⁶, and has a > > > drinking problem. The man can't build a normal > > > relationship with anyone and > > > his law practice is one of the worst in the entire > > > state. Not to mention he > > > cheated on his wife with three different women. Yes, > > > I know him."

The > > > defense attorney was also surprised and shocked. > > > > > > At this point, the judge brought the courtroom to > > > silence and called both > > > counselors⁷ to the bench. In a very quiet voice, he > > > said with menace, "If > > > either of you bastards⁸ asks her if she knows me, > > > you'll be jailed for > > > contempt!"