12 Angry Men

[There is a long pause.]

CLERK:
(droning). The jury will retire.

[And now, slowly, almost hesitantly, the members of the jury begin to rise. Awkwardly, they file out of the jury

box and off camera to the left. Camera holds on jury box, and then fades out].

[Fade in on a large bare, unpleasant-looking room. This is the jury room in the county criminal court of a large

Eastern city. It is about 4:00 P.M. The room is furnished with a long conference table and a dozen chairs. The

walls are bare, drab and badly in need of a fresh coat of paint. Along one wall is a row of windows, which look

out on the skyline of the city's financial district. High on another wall is an electric clock. A washroom opens off

the jury room. In one corner of the room is a water fountain. On the table are pads, pencils, and ashtrays. One

of the windows is open. Papers blow across the table and onto the floor as the door opens. Lettered on the

outside of the door are the words "Jury Room". A uniformed guard holds the door open. Slowly, almost self-

consciously, the twelve jurors file in. The guard counts them as they enter the door, his lips moving, but no

sound coming forth. Four or five of the jurors light cigarettes as they enter the room. Juror NO. 5 lights his

pipe, which he smokes constantly throughout the play. Jurors NO. 2 and 12 go to the water fountain. NO. 9

goes into the washroom, the door of which is lettered "Men." Several of the jurors take seats at the table. Others

stand awkwardly around the room. Several look out the windows. These are men who are ill at ease, who do not

really know each other to talk to and who wish they were anywhere but here. NO. 7, standing at window, takes

out a pack of gum, takes a piece, and offers it around. There are no takers. He mops his brow.]

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