At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney
attacked a witness. "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five
thousand dollars to compromise this case?" The witness stared out the
window, as though he hadn't hear the question.

"Isn't it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this
case?" the lawyer repeated. The witness still did not respond.

Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question."

"Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."