Prisoners

Suspect: First you say one thing, then you retract it; you offer one version and half an hour later you offer a completely different one.  You don't even agree between the two of you.  You make statements to the entire press, and to TV news reporters too, if I'm not mistaken, of this nature: "naturally" there isn't any transcript of the interrogation sessions with the anarchist; there was not time---and then, after a while, a miracle!: two or three transcripts turn up . . . and signed by him, with his own hand, large as life!  If any suspect contradicted himself half as much as you muckers, he'd have gotten bumped off long ago.  You know what people think of you now?  That you're a bunch of bull-shitters . . . as well as bad boys.  How can you expect anybody to believe what you say anymore?  Except for the judge who ordered the inquiry to be closed, of course.  And you know the main reason why people don't believe you?  Because your version of the facts, in addition to being screwy, is also lacking in human interest . . . warmth.  Nobody, Captain, can forget the rude way you answered the anarchist's poor widow, when she asked you why she hadn't been notified of her husband's death.  Never a moment of sympathy; not one of you ever lets himself go . . . exposes himself . . . maybe laughs, cries---sings!  People would be willing to forgive all the contradictions you've jumped into with both feet---but only if, in exchange, beyond these obstacles, they could catch a glimpse of a human heart . . . two "living" men who let themselves be moved to tears of sympathy; and although still remaining policemen, join the anarchist in singing his own song, just to make him happy . . . "Arise ye prisoners of starvation."---who wouldn't burst out crying!?  Who could refuse to joyfully call out your names, on hearing such a story!  I beg of you!  For your own good . . . so that the investigation will turn out in your favor . . . Sing! (The Suspect begins singing the International in English in a low voice, motioning to the policemen.  Shakily, and with obvious embarrassment, they start singing along with him, one after the other.) "Arise ye prisoners of starvation Arise ye wretched of the earth For justice thunders condemnation A better world's in birth." (The Suspect actually grabs them by the shoulders, urging them on. Lights begin to go on in houses outside the window, all around town, as policemen become a full-voice chorus.)                                                      Back To More Sides