say something off topic

[first lines]

Frederick Aiken: Two men standing at the Pearly Gates. The first man says, "How'd you die?" Second says, "I froze to death. How 'bout you?" And the, uh, second man says, "Well, I thought my... my wife was being unfaithful to me, so I ran all the way home. And burst into the bedroom. She just..."

Mary Surratt: My husband died a drunk, Mr. Aiken, and left me loads of debt. I had to support my family, so I rented rooms to boarders. Those men were customers, nothing more.

Frederick Aiken: And you never considered their allegiances?

Mary Surratt: I didn't ask about their allegiances.

Frederick Aiken: What about yours, ma'am?

Mary Surratt: I'm a Southerner. I'm a Catholic and a devoted mother above all else. But I am no assassin.

Frederick Aiken: Your freedom is gonna require greater assurances than that.

Mary Surratt: Then you tell me what I should say to those generals.

Frederick Aiken: Oh, you can't say a thing. You're prohibited from testifying in your own defense. Perhaps your son could speak for you. Any idea where he's hiding?

Mary Surratt: No, I don't.

Frederick Aiken: All right. Is there anyone who will give your version of events?

Mary Surratt: You mean the truth?

Frederick Aiken: Well, obviously the government believes your version is not the truth.

Mary Surratt: Based on what?

Frederick Aiken: Their not releasing their list of witnesses or the evidence they'll use against you.

Mary Surratt: And can they do that?

Frederick Aiken: This kind of proceeding, they can do to you whatever they want.

Mary Surratt: Well, then what difference does that make? Those generals have made up their minds. I can tell by the way they look at me.

Frederick Aiken: The way they look at you?

Mary Surratt: Just the same way you're looking at me.