A town in the 1700s finds itself having a witch problem.  Luckily someone knows what needs to be done with witches! (I thought this had come out long ago, but somehow I missed posting it!) Written by Julie Hoverson Sound and mastering by Aaron Emmanuel JUDGE (50s)               Russell Gold BAILEY (40s)              Barry Howarth WITCH HUNTER (any)        Karim Kronfli ELIZABETH JAMESON (18)    Libby Thomas MASTER BERNE (30)         Michael Hudson MASTER HILLMAN (30)       Alex Gilmour OLD MAGGIE (70)           Elizabeth Price OLD AGNES (70)            Julie Hoverson MAJOR JANIS TIMMS (30)    Devin Nissan KATE (30)                 Katy Anderson PRIEST (40)               Owen Curtiss BORDO, GOAT (any)           TOWNSFOLK                 Jay Langejans                           Naomi Rose Mock                           Owen Curtiss                           Robert Finch                           Katy Anderson                           Michael Hudson                           Alex Gilmour                           Julie Hoverson ************************************************ The Shadow of Ignorance Cast: Judge Bailey Witch Hunter Elizabeth Jameson Master Berne Master Hillman Old Maggie, who lives by the Fen Old Agnes Major Janis Timms, Time Traveler Kate, Priest, and other TOWNSFOLK Bordo, goat MUSIC SCENE 1     COURT SOUND     CROWD IN LARGE ROOM BAILEY    Oyez, Oyez, this Court will come to order! JUDGE    Are all present who would accuse? BAILEY    Aye, judge! JUDGE    This court is convened in a case of the most severe crime... MAN IN CROWD    Witchcraft! TOWNSFOLK    [general mumbles "curses" "witchcraft" "I always knew about her" "God protect us" "witch!"] SOUND    GAVEL BANGS JUDGE    Call the court, Bailey BAILEY    This tribunal will come to order! TOWNSFOLK    [murmurs subside] JUDGE    Call the accused. BAILEY    Bring in the accused! SOUND    DOOR OPENS, SEVERAL PEOPLE ENTER KATE    [at the back] Witch! BAILEY    Do not think I would hesitate to remove you from the court, Kate Carlin! KATE    [hurried murmur] My apologies, master. JUDGE    Pronounce the bill, Bailey. BAILEY    [reading] Elizabeth Jameson, you stand accused of multiple acts of witchcraft. ELIZABETH    Never did I any such thing! JUDGE    Hold your hexing tongue, woman. BAILEY    [reading] Such acts include the drying up of several of Master Hillman's cows. Is Master Hillman present? HILLMAN    Aye, them cows was grand producers afore she-- BAILEY    Reply "Aye," only, master.  Should we require testimony, you will be called to witness. HILLMAN    Aye.  I be present. BAILEY    [back to reading] Further, accusation has been made that you attempted to seduce master Berne-- ELIZABETH    Nay!  He is the one made every attempt to importune me! BERNE    You gave me the horn, you cannot deny it! JUDGE    This is not-- ELIZABETH    You get the horn all on your own, sir, else why would your wife be abed with your eighth child? BERNE    My lust for you is from the devil. JUDGE    If you please-- ELIZABETH    Perhaps you should visit Master Hillman and his cows! SOUND    GAVEL JUDGE    Silence! BAILEY    Silence in the court. No mouths will speak but my own, unless invited to witness! SOUND    A MOMENT OF SILENCE, A COUGH OR TWO BAILEY    [loud] Good.  [to judge] Shall we add inciting congress with animals to the charges against the accused, for her impetuous insult to Master Berne? JUDGE    Think you we need further charges?  The evidence is quite damning. BAILEY    [shrug] It was well-witnessed.  We may have to address it. JUDGE    Continue with the case as presented. BAILEY    [reading again]  You further stand accused of stealing dirt from a consecrated grave after midnight, whistling on a Sunday, and wearing a red hat to church. ELIZABETH    I never stole nothing!  I put flowers on me mother's grave, and the only time I had to go there, it had come down dark - but surely could not been as late as midnight!  What else am I do to?  I work from sun up to sun d