police interviews and feminism i guess
police interviews and feminism i guess
“Mr. Smith, a large sum of money was taken out of your wallet by a friend while it was in your house on the night of 7th January?”
“Yes.”
“Did you struggle with your friend?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I was in shock, I never thought he would steal from me. And I thought I might get hurt – if he was willing to steal from me, he might well be willing to hurt me.”
“Then you made a conscious decision to let him take the money rather than to resist?”
“Yes.”
“Did you scream? Cry out?”
“No. I was afraid.”
“I see. Have you ever been robbed before?”
“No.”
“Have you ever given money away?”
“Yes, of course–”
“And did you do so willingly?”
“What are you getting at?”
“Well, let’s put it like this, Mr. Smith. You’ve given away money in the past–in fact, you have quite a reputation for philanthropy. How can we be sure that the money was taken from you against your will?”
“Listen, if I wanted–”
“You’ve given this friend money in the past?”
“Yes, but I don’t see what that’s got to do with anything. I’d told him before I didn’t want to give him any more money-”
“Never mind. What time did this alleged theft take place, Mr. Smith?”
“About 11 p.m.”
“You were alone with your friend in the house at 11pm? Why?”
“Yes. I’d invited him round for dinner. He was a friend.”
“Dinner? And did you have a few drinks with dinner? A bottle of wine, some beers…”
“Yes, we had some wine – why does that matter?”
“So you’d been drinking. Are you sure you didn’t tell him he could take the money? You know, maybe you were feeling sorry for him, feeling bad about telling him you weren’t going to lend him money any more… Are you sure you didn’t give him one last bundle of cash, out of sympathy, but maybe you’re feeling bad about it today?”
“Hey-”
“Maybe you’d had a few too many and it’s all a bit hazy? Are you sure you didn’t tell him he could have the money, but you can’t remember it?”
“No! He stole it from me-”
“What were you wearing at the time, Mr. Smith?”
“Let’s see. A suit. Yes, a suit.”
“An expensive suit?”
“Well–yes.”
“In other words, Mr. Smith, you were alone and drunk late at night with someone you had previously given money to in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you had money, isn’t that so?”
“Look-”
“Where was your wallet at the time of the theft?”
“It was on the table.”
“Right out in the open, huh? Is it really surprising he got the wrong idea? I mean, if we didn’t know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think you were asking for this to happen, mightn’t we?”
“Look, can’t we talk about the past history of the guy who did this to me?”
“I’m afraid not, Mr. Smith. I don’t think you would want to violate his rights, now, would you?”
