The Adventures of ManPurse: Jury Duty Part 1

Yes, ManPurse and I traveled to downtown Chicago yesterday for Jury Duty. As I walk into the Dirksen building I see many many TV crews and cameras. I walk and think to myself, "ARGH, why don't you read/watch the news "M"? Why? Why? Why?" Each "why" is punctuated with a heel of my palm slapping my forehead! Once in the Juror's Lounge, I start to eavesdrop since evidently some major trial has begun or is about to begin. I hear a fellow at a table near by mention Joey "the Clown" Lombardo of the Chicago Outfit. Mr. Lombardo is known as "The Clown" for his quick wit. (Side note: please don't call us "M" the clown or "A" the clown. Clowns scare me even if we are darned witty if we say so ourselves! And this was the extent of my research. I have no idea what this clown is accused of nor do I wish to find out!)

So I sit there thinking, "I'm so sequestered in this jury." It's 9:30 AM. I keep quiet and mostly to myself while reading Janet Evanovich. She mentions Jimmy Curtains (a fictional mob boss) in the book, you see Jimmy, it's curtains for you!. I can't get this Clown guy out of my head. They call names... phew "m" isn't called in that lot of people. I continue to read and read and play with my crackberry. I e-mail The Hubby, I e-mail "A", I e-mail work, I e-mail Mom. The worst part about the waiting -- there is no one with whom I'm comfortable sharing my witty comments. I had several. Sigh. I let the witty comments pass and I chuckle softly to myself. I start reading again and realize that I'm going to finish this book by lunch if I don't play with my crackberry some more. I e-mail Mom to ask if she would be willing to get me #8 in the Stephanie Plum series. She says yes. MOM ROCKS!

The next group is getting called. I'm juror #9 or so. We go to the court room and I'm looking at the defense table. I see a man that looks like a scarier version of the Dearly Departed Dad from Six Feet Under and think it's possible that is a mob guy. I think that I'm going to be swimming with the fishies in some new cement boots! Luckily the judge states that the case is for a bank robbery. And the mob guy turns into a defense attorney. Phew. To make this long story a little shorter.... They ask questions... Do you work for a local, state or federal police department? I raise my hand. Any family members police officers or were they in the past? I raise my hand. Any other time constraints? I raise my hand. Needless to say I think that my extensive police knowledge got me out of it. PHEW. I am dismissed for the day

One guy got out of jury duty by saying his wife is an attorney and he is now cynical. The Judge stopped him and was disgusted by this man. He basically called him a bad citizen. I found myself not wanting the judge to be disappointed in me. So when he asked me if I could be impartial even though work with the PD, I respond with "I think I can." I didn't want to be called a bad citizen! What is silly is it wasn't the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I'm looking at the accused and thinking that he made some really bad choices and that is how he ended up there. Therefore, I have already thought that he is guilty. Sigh. I'll try to be less judgemental if I go back.

After I got dismissed, ManPurse and I went to PotBelly's for lunch. After that we went to the Bean in Millennium Park and to visit the Lions at the Art Institute of Chicago. We didn't have time to go in since I wanted to catch the train to get home before the storms came.

Here is an article I just found... http://dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=324042 Apparently I'm not out of the woods yet. But I'm not reading up on the trial just in case something happens and I have to return on Thursday or Friday! I think know that ManPurse will keep me safe. If not, call The Hubby or Jack Bauer if you don't hear from any of us by Friday and tell them to bring a jack hammer to get my new cement booties off!! LOL Also made an important note to myself: If you stop at the 7-11 to get the Double Big Gulp, hit the potty BEFORE you get to the court room. Yes, that commercial Gotta Go Gotta Go Gotta Go that features the woman with the overactive bladder was running through my head as they were interviewing the 40 prospective jurors! Better yet, skip the 64 ouncer and get the 32 only! I am learning!

Again Thanks to the Momcierge for getting the book. I finished the one I had and am starting the one you got me tonight! :-D