(LIGHTS UP on BRITT CRAIG, at his typewriter at the Atlanta Georgian office.) #10—Real Big News CRAIG BIG NEWS! MY SAVIOR HAS ARRIVED! MY INTUITION’S NEVER BEEN SO STRONG! BIG NEWS! MY CAREER HAS BEEN REVIVED— ALL I NEEDED WAS SOME SNIPPY, PISSY YANKEE ALL ALONG! TAKE THIS SUPERSTITIOUS CITY, ADD ONE LITTLE JEW FROM BROOKLYN PLUS A COLLEGE EDUCATION AND A MOUSY LITTLE WIFE, AND BIG NEWS! REAL BIG NEWS! THAT POOR SUCKER SAVED MY LIFE! SO GIVE ‘IM FANGS, GIVE ‘IM HORNS, GIVE ‘IM SCALY, HAIRY PALMS! HAVE ‘IM DROOLIN’ OUT THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH! HE’S A MASTER OF DISGUISE! CHECK THOSE BUG-OUT, CREEPY EYES! SURE, THAT FELLA’S HERE TO RAPE THE WHOLE DAMNED SOUTH! THEY’LL BE BANGIN’ DOWN MY DOOR, YELLIN’ “MORE, CRAIG! MORE!” “CALL FOR JUSTICE!” “WE NEED JUSTICE!” “BEAT THE BASTARD!” “KILL THE BUM!” BIG NEWS! REAL BIG NEWS! MY SAVIOR HAS FINALLY COME!
GUARD Your lawyer is here, Leo.
LEO Mr. Rosser!
ROSSER Mornin', Leo.
LEO Did you arrange? Am I going home now?
ROSSER No, Leo, you're not.
LEO Why? Are you doing your best to get me out?
ROSSER Leo... (...)
According to reports obtained exclusively by this reporter, Prosecutor Dorsey has the villain in his sights. A highly ranking unnamed source in this investigation tells me Leo Frank's the only likely culprit in this case. Anyone with any information on the suspect, Leo Frank, Should contact this reporter care of the Atlanta Georgian.
MAN I saw this little kid--- Said, "Look what Leo did!" And then she run and hid:
CRAIG Go on, go on, go on, go on now!
PRETTY GIRL He sat down next to me--- His hand went on my knee--- I had to shake it free!
REPORTERS Go on, go on, go on, go on now!
KID I say it isn't fair!|I saw his books, I swear That man's a millionaire!
A WOMAN He likes 'em young and small! Got nekkid pictures all Pinned to his office wall!
REPORTERS Go on, go on, go on, go on now! (Oo, oo, oo)
A MAN He has a kid, you know Knocked up some student so He paid to make her go|I know it, yes, I seen it, yes!
A MAN My brother says he knows Wherever Leo goes| He carries Mary's clothes! I know it, yes, I seen it, yes!
A PSYCHIATRIST I've watched him for a while Behind that creepy smile The classic pedophile! I know it, yes, I seen it, yes!
ENSEMBLE I know it, yes, I seen it, yes! I know it, yes, I seen it, yes!
REPORTERS |Go on, go on, go on, go on now! |Go on, go on, go on, go on now!
CRAIG Look! You just scribble it down and it covers the town like molasses or mud! Look! For us drunken ol' bums, opportunity comes in a magical flood! Look! You might never be sure if your motives are pure, but your profits are clear! Look! You were down and depressed, now you're ridin' the crest of the scoop of the year!
DORSEY Jim Conley, your job here at the factory is sweeper, that right? CONLEY I prefer “cleaning supervisor” if you don’t mind. DORSEY Cleaning supervisor, then. Now tell me, Jim, did you notice anything unusual about Mr. Frank? CONLEY (wringing his hands) He done himself like this all the time. DORSEY Unh hunh. Anything else? CONLEY Well, let me think... DORSEY Did you ever see him bring any of the factory girls into his private office? CONLEY Girls in his office? DORSEY Jim, I got a piece of paper here says you spent a little time on the chain gang. CONLEY That right? DORSEY Twice, according to this. Drunk and disorderly behavior. CONLEY Well, I tend to over-celebrate holidays. DORSEY And the second time it says here you were out with the road gang and you just up and disappeared. CONLEY Well, you know, my term was just about up. DORSEY Really? I think you had a few more months to serve. You know what that makes you, don’t you? CONLEY Lucky. DORSEY I was going to say an escaped convict. Now, what should we do about that? CONLEY What was that you asked me about Mr. Frank? (HE and DORSEY exchange smiles.)
REPORTERS AND CRAIG Accordin' to reports obtained ex Clusively by this reporter, Mr Leo Frank has been in Dicted on the charge of murder! Prosecutor Dorsey states the Trial will begin in the Atlanta County Courthouse Only one month from today! Mrs Frank, the Suspect's wife, Has still not spoken to reporters! What's the word from Mrs Frank? What's the word from Mrs Frank? Mrs Frank! Mrs Frank!
LUCILLE Let me alone! Please! Let me alone! CRAIG I hope there isn’t much damage, ma’am. No. Don’t be afraid. I just came back to help. LUCILLE I have nothing to say. CRAIG (looking at a jar) Watermelon pickles! That’s one of my mama’s specialties. (SHE continues repacking the hamper. HE assists.) And deviled eggs! You’re a good cook. LUCILLE Not really. CRAIG Oh yes! This nose knows all.