*puffs on his hookah and blows smoke into the jury*

 

Curious, the ashes could be a from a chHimney Mr Lizard?

Or from a hookah, Caterpillar. 

Mister Bill the Lizard. Isn't it true that you and Alice had a somewhat turbulent relation ship with our dear Alice. In fact hasn't she been violent towards you on several occasions? Did you decide to take revenge?

Me? Oh no. I wouldn't go anywhere near that great big giant girl. I was terrified of her and would never have ... let's just say wherever she was I tried to be elsewhere. I would have never have been close enough to that girl to be able to touch her - let alone kill her.

Or from a hookah, Caterpillar.

That's a good point.

So when's the last time you each saw Alice?

And what did you do afterwards?

*rattles her teacup*

 

The might have come from her Majesty's sceptre... But there are other persons too, that likes their gold. Isn't that so, Duchess?

*fades in and flicks his tail at Bill*  Ashes to Ashes....where were you during our dear Alice's demise?

This is so frightfully exhausting. Hjerck! But I suppose I should ask a question. Rabbit my friend, where were you at the time of the poor girls strangely amusing but horrifying death?

I don't know when I last saw her ... but I was in the white rabbit's house and not anywhere near where she was murdered.

Sinnnce being kicked out of the chHimney, Bill the Lizard, I know you have had a tremendous fear of Alice and would always leave the room if she showed up.  Hhhowever, you've talked to me about hhhherbs that can hhhhelp your anxiety. Did you a-find the a-right one and finally get your revenge?

I'm quite sure Mr Caterpillar Sir ... that the only herbal calmings occuring are yours.

 

Oh ... do you know that application of herbs was involved in the Giant Girl's Death? There would have had to have been an awful lot - she was ginormous!

 

Were you angry because you had run out?

I am not on the stand here Mr. Lizard. The hhhherbs were for you and they were not mine. 

I object.

 

And I'm not aware of having any herbs.

There is another who knows a little about herbs and maybe even spices....isn't that right, Duchess? 

I don't know when I last saw Alice, but at the time of the murder I was off delivering messages.

Doesn't the White Rabbit also have something of sentimental value to him, something made of gold? **eyes the Rabbit's watch** 

You said that you were off delivering messages, Rabbit. Where exactly did your deliveries take you?

Brilliant catch your majesty, very good indeed! For that, you can come to my teaparty tomorrow, assuming you haven't had the misfortune of ending up in jail, of course.

*fades in on the Rabbit head*  He was with me actually.  He was delivering my midday meal...which was quite delicious I must say.

Mr. Lizzard only spoke to me about hhhherbs that could help him overcome his fear of Alice. Mayhhhapsss hhhe spoke to the Duchess about them too. I agree with the King, this is very lllikely place to start. 

You have remained terribly quiet, Duchess, and that cannot be wise  being in your current position. 

 

Where exactly were you at the time of the murder?

The knave was rather distracted by the tarts displayed so temptingly outside the window. Why is he stuck inside attending this farcical trial when outside the sun is shining the birds are singing, the tarts proving nigh impossible to resist...

I'm quite sure Mr Caterpillar Sir ... that the only herbal calmings occuring are yours.

Oh ... do you know that application of herbs was involved in the Giant Girl's Death? There would have had to have been an awful lot - she was ginormous!

Were you angry because you had run out?

So have we establish the cause of our dear Alice's unfortunate death?

Was it a hit on the head by a blunt instrument?

It seems to me that there is a conspiracy here to get rid of the poor confused thing. Lots of people seem to have it in for the poor girl. After all she is an outsider here with a tendency to offend without meaning to, I might add.

 

You know Bill the Lizard that she has a propensity for changing her size when it suits and she hurts you with that careless swipe of her mighty paw when undergoing rapid transformation size wise.

Your hammer makes a very good weapon. So too repeat everyone's question where exactly where you?

 

You said that you're with the caterpillar and both of you are covered in ashes from various sites and equipment...
*

 

Interesting to note that everyone seems to have a water tight alibi. I reiterate my earlier statement of this henious crime being perpetrated by a cohorts of disgruntled characters bent on evening up the score for Alice's many innocent affences.

*fades in on the Rabbit head* He was with me actually. He was delivering my midday meal...which was quite delicious I must say.

As the cat was saying, I delivered her meal.

**takes a moment to ponder the Rabbit's response**  And we are aware that the Cheshire Cat often finds a cozy spot to rest within the 

home of the Duchess. Perhaps while you were delivering her meal, Rabbit, you were able to procure the items necessary to frame 

the Duchess. Or perhaps, it was the Cat.