14 INT. COUNTY COURT - DAY 2 14
JOSEPHINE, LEWIS, TRACEY, TODD, LARS, HUGO, JUDGE EVANS, N/S
COURT STAFF, N/S JUDGE’S ASSOCIATE, N/S JURY
HUGO is questioning the plaintiff’s wife, TRACEY DINGWELL
(late 20s, tiny, calm, credible). Behind HUGO sits the
plaintiff, TRACEY’s husband TODD (30ish, salt of the earth
tradie type in a high-vis vest).
HUGO
Mrs Dingwell, we’ve already heard
your husband’s account, now can you
tell us in your own words what
happened at Vårt Hem on March 8?
TRACEY
Todd and I went to buy some things
for our new house in Gracevale
Gardens. We’d just moved in and
were pretty excited.
She and TODD share a loving smile, as if they’re the only
people in the room. Several of the JURY spontaneously smile
in response. JOSEPHINE and LEWIS exchange a look.
HUGO
What happened after you entered the
store?
TRACEY
We’d only been there about fifteen
minutes when an announcement came
over the PA that we had to evacuate
because of a bomb threat.
JOSEPHINE nudges LEWIS. He nods, already on it. Makes a note.
HUGO
What was your response?
TRACEY
It was horrible. The place was packed
and everyone panicked and nobody knew
which way to go. It turned into a
stampede and that’s when Todd got his
foot trampled. He was in terrible
pain - he couldn’t move.
HUGO
What did you do?
TRACEY
Everyone else had left, and Todd
and I were stuck in the bathroom
section. We were so scared. We
thought there might be terrorists
in there or the place could go up
at any minute...
She pauses to collect herself. A couple of the FEMALE JURORS
are starting to write diligently in their notepads whenever
TRACEY answers - always an ominous sign.
LEWIS gives JOSEPHINE a look, but she’s starting to feel for
TRACEY too.
HUGO
I can only imagine how terrifying it
must have been for you, with no idea
of what fate would befall you...
Can I ask that
the witness be shown exhibit P1?
The JUDGE’S ASSOCIATE hands a photograph to Tracey. It shows
TRACEY pushing TODD out the front doors on a flat pack
trolley. TODD is holding a basket containing a salad spinner
and TWO HANGING PLANTERS.
HUGO (CONT’D)
What does this photograph show, Mrs
Dingwell?
TRACEY
It shows me pushing Todd out the front
doors of Vårt Hem. I found a trolley
that someone left behind and somehow
loaded him onto it. As soon as we
heard the all-clear announcement we
headed for the exit - and I took him
straight to the hospital.
HUGO
And what is the date and time shown
on the bottom right hand corner?
TRACEY
(reads)
March 8, 3:11pm.
HUGO
May I ask that the witness be shown
exhibit P2?
The ASSOCIATE hands a document to TRACEY.
HUGO (CONT’D)
What is this, Ms Dingwell?
TRACEY
It’s a letter from the doctors at
St Victor’s with Todd’s diagnosis.
HUGO
And could you read that for us?
TRACEY
(reads)
“Mr Dingwell sustained a comminuted
fracture of the metatarsals.”
HUGO
And how is your husband’s foot now?
TRACEY
It’s not much better,
unfortunately. He still can’t work.
HUGO
Mr Dingwell gave evidence that he
was a labourer and you’re a
childcare worker on a minimum wage -
is that right?
TRACEY
Yes.
HUGO
Financially? How are you managing?
TRACEY
He can’t work now. I love little
kids. We were hoping to start our
own family, but we can’t afford to
yet. It’s not just Todd’s foot -
it’s everything... he hasn’t been
quite the same since that day...
She looks to her husband with concern and several of the
JURORS gaze at her protectively. JOSEPHINE feels bad for
TRACEY too - the Dingwells are just the kind of battlers who
would have been clients at Newton’s Legal.
TRACEY (CONT’D)
We’re trying our hardest. But it
looks like we’ll have to sell the
house.
Concerned looks from the JURY.
CUT TO:
A little later. LEWIS is now cross-examining TRACEY.
LEWIS
Ms Dingwell, you gave evidence that
you heard an announcement over Vårt
Hem’s PA saying that the store had
to be evacuated because of a bomb
threat. Is that correct?
TRACEY
Yes.
LEWIS
The Store Manager will give evidence
that he made that announcement from
a proforma Vårt Hem script. A script
that made no mention of threats of
any kind. So why did you think there
was a bomb threat?
TRACEY looks confused, then apologetic.
TRACEY
Now that I think of it, I must have
got that idea from the people
around us I suppose... everyone was
yelling there was a bomb. Then
later - on the news - they said
someone phoned through a bomb
threat, so I must have remembered
it wrongly. I’m sorry.
LEWIS
What else might you have remembered
wrongly?
TRACEY reacts with distress.
TRACEY
I’m not sure what you mean? Are you
saying I’m lying?
She starts crying.
TRACEY (CONT’D)
You’re not the one who sees him at
home, so depressed he can barely
get out of bed –
JUDGE EVANS
Ms Dingwell. Please just answer the
questions.
TRACEY
I’m sorry, Your Honour.
But the damage is done. LEWIS looks like a bully who’s sold
out to the big end of town - and the JURY is glaring at both
LEWIS and JOSEPHINE. Behind them, LARS SVENSSON is fuming.