Maybe it's a picnic.
-- Abel (Pages 3 - 54)

Importance: At the diner, the waitress warns Abel about the danger of the new jury selection process. Abel replies to her concerns in the above manner. His unaffected tone captures his detachment from life. He is not worried about what might happen during the process, as his life in the present offers no promise of happiness. This moment provides insight into Abel's character and foreshadows his coming experiences in the courthouse.

It's not supposed to matter what he did, is it? That's not the job . . .
-- Abel (Pages 3 - 54)

Importance: During the jury selection process, Abel and the other prospective jurors theorize about the process and its rules. Abel holds that the defendant's real crime is of no importance. This notion captures the essence of the new system. The jurors are not meant to interject morality to the defendant's crimes but are merely meant to decide his fate based what they feel...