Do You Know Me?

(pardon the inappropriate language…)

 

Lawyers always rehearse trials and specifically, cross-examining witnesses because it is important to always be prepared for the witness' answer so that you can lead them in a direction that supports your case.

 

In a small trial where everybody knows everybody, a trial just started.  The prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand.  She was a grandmotherly, elderly woman - neatly dressed in her best Sunday clothes, lace gloves and a pretty bonnet.

 

He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

 

She nodded, thought for a little while and responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams."

 

Thinking a bit longer, she continued: “I've known you since you were a young boy and frankly, 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."

 

With a frown, she went on: "You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. So, yes, I know you."

 

The lawyer was stunned.

 

It was not the answer he was expecting.  His mind racing to recover from this disaster, he landed on his feet:  he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"

 

She again replied, "Why, yes, I do."

 

The old lady cocked her head to one side and continued: "I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster too. He's lazy, bigoted and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state…"

 

She shifted in her seat, grabbed her handbag tighter and went on: "…not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women, and one of them was your wife."

 

She concluded, "So, yes, I do know him."

 

The defense attorney looked as if he was having a heart attack.

 

Just then the judge (who was obviously also a lawyer) hit his gavel and asked both counselors to approach the bench.

 

In a very quiet voice he said, "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, I'll throw your sorry asses in jail for contempt."