RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: Adults and young adults
LEVEL: 4 (EOI Advanced Level 2)
CHARACTERS
Judge Comyn, O´Connor, the priest/the farmer, Mr Keane, the prosecution council and the narrator.
SYNOPSIS
Judge Comyn, O’Connor and a priest meet on a train journey. To kill time, O’Connor pulls up a pack of cards and Judge Comyn suggests they play poker. At first they play without betting anything, but as the game progresses they decide to put more excitement into it and start betting money. In the end the priest, who was new to the game and initially hesitant to participate, manages to win and promises to donate the money to an orphanage.
On the following day Judge Comyn finds out that O’Connor is to be judged in his court under the charge of obtaining money by false pretences through cheating at cards. However, neither the prosecutor nor the plaintiff, Mr Keane, can prove him guilty since O’Connor was neither the one who initially suggested starting a poker game -Mr Keane was-, nor was he the winner -the third player, a farmer, was-. O’Connor is thus declared not guilty and acquitted.
Right after coming out of court Judge Comyn sees O’Connor drive past the building. The priest is also in the car and waves at him. Mr Keane happens to be standing next to the judge and he identifies the priest as the farmer who had won their poker game. Judge Comyn then realises he was also tricked.
CHARACTER OBJECTIVES
Judge Comyn: good-natured and trusting man who refuses to believe he has been tricked.
O’Connor: cunning Irish man who organizes the game and the scam.
The priest/the farmer: O’Connor’s accomplice. He pretends not knowing how to play poker.
Mr Keane: plaintiff at court. He claims he was cheated at cards by O’Connor.
The prosecution council: He wants to prove O’Connor guilty of fraud.
The narrator: He/she presents the setting of every scene and provides information on the development of the story.
SCENE BREAKDOWN
Scene 1
The three main characters meet on a train. They start playing poker although the priest is initially reluctant.
Scene 2
The game continues and they start betting money. The priest wins the game mostly at the expense of Judge Comyn who writes him a check when they arrive at their destination.
Scene 3
Judge Comyn is in court when O’Connor is brought forward to be judged. Neither Mr Keane nor the prosecutor can prove him guilty of fraud. O’Connor is released.
Scene 4
Judge Comyn meets Mr Keane outside court. They both see O’Connor and the priest/farmer driving by. Judge Comyn finally realizes he was also cheated at cards.
RELEVANT INFORMATION: For each scene different students play the parts so that everybody gets a chance to participate and the work is shared.
Depending on the number of students, the narrator may or may not be included.
