Creative Writing: In The Senate

The flashes from the cameras begin to reflect off of the walls as Bogie made his way through the crowd, ducking in between the reporters he made his way up a long staircase, ending at rows of seats that looked down at the oval senate room, a large sign that read “GALLERY” was displayed at the very top. He made his way to a seat where Lauren dressed in a long-sleeved yellow pantsuit and several of the directors—Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Daniel Taradash, Jean Nuglesco, and John Ford— sat beside him.

“Well, this should be interesting.” Taradash muttered as he adjusted himself into the seat. The whispering and chatter came to a slow halt as Lionel Strander entered the room, he was wearing a loose suit and had grown a beard since

I would like to present my next witness, Lionel Strander, an actor who had previously been listen on Mr. McCarthy’s communist lists.” Crum stated. The audience turned to see Strander, who slowly made his way to the podium at the front of the room, he gave a loud cough as he sat down. A silence consumed the entire room as Crum slowly made his way into the middle of the room, standing in front of Strander.

“You were an actor in Hollywood? How many jobs do you think you had in the beginning of 1947?” Crum asked, walking back and forth in front of the podium with his hands in his pocket.

“I was. I probably worked on well over 100 tv shows. You’d have to check with my agent to get the exact amount.” Strander stated, folding his hands in his

“I’m not really sure. I was actively supportive of unions and favored Democratic policies to that of Republican ones. But other than that, all I was told was that a gentleman mentioned me and I was being investigated.” Strander stated.

“No evidence?” Crum asked with his eyebrow raised as he leaned to one side.

“None that I am aware of. No.” Strander replied plainly.

“Interesting. Did the committee provide any reasonable explanation for why anybody should believe his claims?” Crum asked, resting his arm on the podium as he leaned in close to Strander.

“In my personal opinion, the committee never did. It’s like the Spanish inquisition. You may not be burned but you cannot help but feel a little singed…” Strander stated, as the audience released a chuckle.

“Mr. Strander, this isn’t one of your comic shows. Do you think it’s a joke!?” McCarthy screamed from a circular podium that lied across the room.

“Mr. McCarthy, the witness has the floor to speak. And, Mr. Strander, please take this with a seriousness if you can.” One of the senators sitting next to McCarthy