Summary

Forty-six-year-old Abel Cotter visits a diner. At the counter, he opens his government-issued envelope, calling him for jury duty. The waitress tells him what she has heard about the new jury system and the alleged repeat room where they keep the accused. He orders his breakfast and listens to her talk. She does not envy anyone “who get[s] the call,” convinced she would mess up as a juror (6). However, she admits she is curious about the process and what it would be like “to look inside somebody’s head” (6). Before Abel leaves, she reminds him not to let the officials get to him.

Abel reports to the courthouse for jury duty. At processing, he introduces himself. The attendant clarifies that he is indeed a garbageman.

In the next room, Abel joins the 10 or 20 people called for duty. He listens to their conversation...