Jury duty brought out something in me that was unexpected. On the one hand I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could to resume my life. On the other hand I wanted to be picked, selected out of a roomful of people with no names and faces, picked to have a moment of recognition.
Sitting in the jury box seemed like some kind of achievement. But when the judge explained that the case was a petty “crime”, I realized that it was something I couldn’t care less about. No matter how nobly this sense of citizenry duty was burning it was time to scheme for an escape.
I told the judge I was opinionated, that I would try my best to be partial and listen to the arguments on both sides. I said it with enough hesitation that I was bumped off the box quite immediately by the lawyer.
Then the moment of glory: to walk out of the court room while the others continued with the process of elimination. I reserved my big smile until the doors were closed behind me.
