Friday, March 26, 2004 -- 9:36 AM

The witness, who was described as a critic of the Yoknapatawpha County Literature Festival Pageant, was interviewed a second time by the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. The interview was conducted by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy and was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness' knowledge and consent.

SM: Thank you for talking to us again, Dr. Moore. We appreciate your help.

LRM: Of course.

SM: Would you please state your name and address?

LRM: I am Dr. Lucille Ruffin-Moore. I live at 2238 Lee Loop here in Oxford.

SM: And your occupation?

LRM: I used to work in the English department at the University. Now, I just focus on my writing. But on my tax form, my accountant always puts down that I am retired. I'm told that writing literary criticism doesn't really bring in enough income to be considered a true job.

TA: Really?

LRM: I believe that I could claim it as a hobby. But that wouldn't really be truthful, would it? I mean, how can you consider your life's work and passion just a hobby? Really, the fact is--

SM: Doctor, do you remember when we spoke before?

LRM: Of course. It isn't often that I get a visit from the local constables.

SM: Do you remember what we were investigating?

LRM: Of course. You are investigating the murder of that beauty pageant contestant. I'm afraid I can't recall her name, but that's the investigation we spoke about during our last conversation.

SM: Her name was Barbara Dubois.

LRM: Oh yes. I do remember now. Such terrible things in the world these days. And how can the authorities ever know what is true? I just saw on Fox News, I do enjoy that Bill O'Reilly. He can be a bit blunt for my taste, but he certainly seems an upstanding young man, but I saw that Harold Bloom has been accused of making unwanted romantic advances towards some feminist critic. Imagine that! Accusing one of the leading scholars in the entire country of something so foul. And the woman's accusations were of an incident that supposedly took place decades ago. How can the police investigate such a thing? It's just incredible--

SM: Doctor, we're not investigating that case. We're here to talk about the beauty pageant and Barbara Dubois.

LRM: Oh yes. Certainly. You may proceed.

TA: When we spoke the first time, you said you remembered seeing a woman without her shoes.

SM: Can you remember any more details?

LRM: Well, I'm not sure that I can recall that much. It was surely just a trivial sight to see.

TA: It might not be trivial to us, Doctor. Please try.

LRM: Do you know the story of when William Faulkner was working in Hollywood and he met Clark Gable?

TA: What does that have to do with--

SM: Just let her tell the story, Armstrong.

LRM: Faulkner ended up with a group of men hunting. Now, he was just a lowly screenwriter, he was far from famous. And Clark Gable was there and he asked Faulkner who the best writers were. Faulkner replied -- oh wait, I mean, Gable asked who the best living writers were. That's it. So Gable asks Faulkner who the best living writers are and Faulkner replies a couple of names including Hemingway and Willa Cather. He mentioned John Dos Passos, but I've never been that much of a fan myself. But in this group, Faulkner includes himself and says that he is one of the best living writers in the world. Gable says "oh, do you write?" To which William Faulkner replied, "Yes, Mr. Gable, what do you do?"

SM: That's a funny story, Doctor. But what does it have to do with our investigation?

LRM: Well, it shows Faulkner's incredible ego. Justified, of course, but he was arrogant. Why, when he finished Absalom, Absalom! he told someone to read it and when they asked what it was, he said "it's the best novel yet written by an American." So the Clark Gable story shows his ego--

TA: But what does the story have to do with us?

LRM: I'm getting to that. My point is that artists and scholars aren't always the most observant people in the world. We're so focused on our work that much of what's going on around us is ignored. William Faulkner didn't know who the biggest actor in the world was, or else he knew and was just trying to take Gable down a few notches, but either way, he was oblivious to the man's fame and stature. Likewise, I'm so focused on my own work and studies that I am oblivious to many things that you might think are obvious.

TA: So you don't remember.

LRM: I do, but not perfectly.

SM: Just do your best.

LRM: I believe the woman was in her late fifties. Around my own age, although it can be hard to tell sometimes. And she was dressed very well.

SM: What was she wearing?

LRM: I don't remember exactly. You'll have to forgive my memory.

TA: But you say she was dressed well?

LRM: Yes. I definitely remember thinking that she was dressed well. I'm sorry I can't provide you with more details. But I remember thinking she must be some important person with the pageant. What I mean is, she wasn't working at the hotel. I hate to be rude or judgmental, but she was dressed too well to be a hotel employee. I remember having that notion in my head, even though I can't describe the specifics of her outfit.

SM: But this woman definitely had her shoes off?

LRM: Yes.

SM: How did you interpret that sight?

LRM: At first it caught my eye. This well dressed, well put-together woman walking around with no shoes on. But then I thought to myself that it was late, she had probably been at the beauty pageant activities all night and was simply tired. I do that myself sometimes. After I've worn heels for long periods of time, my feet just start pounding and I'm aching to remove my shoes, so I do. It feels great to just be able to relax--

SM: Doctor, would you recognize this woman if we showed you a picture of her?

LRM: Possibly. I can't guarantee anything, but I would certainly be willing to try.

SM: Armstrong, do you have those photo arrays?

TA: Yeah, here.

SM: Take a look at these pictures, Doctor. Do you see that woman?

LRM: No, I don't believe so. The woman I saw had darker hair.

SM: What about this array?

LRM: That woman there is very close. I can't say with total certainty, but yes, I'm pretty sure that is the woman I saw.

TA: Dr. Moore has identified photograph number one of Photo Array # 1. Do you know who this woman is?

LRM: No, I don't know her.

SM: This is Allie Lamar. Do you recognize the name?

LRM: No. Is there a reason I should?

SM: She's an important business woman in Oxford.

LRM: Well, that certainly confirms that I wouldn't know her. I'm afraid that I don't know many people in Oxford that are not part of the University community. Of course, I know my doctor, and I know the good folks at Square Books, but beyond that, I have no reason to socialize with business people.

SM: But you are certain that this is the woman you saw that evening with no shoes?

LRM: As I've said, I can't be completely certain. We could sit here and look at photos all day and I would be unable to reach a completely certain judgment. But upon first glance, that photo definitely seems like the woman I saw.

SM: Where did you see this woman?

LRM: I believe I saw her towards the back of the hotel. I had gotten turned around -- as I confessed to you last time, I believe I quite had possibly had too much to drink -- and I was trying to get out of the hotel. I had ended up towards the back and saw this woman.

SM: She was walking out the back door?

LRM: I don't believe I can make that assertion, Detective. I don't remember specifically, but it doesn't seem like to me that I saw her coming in or going out. I believe she was just by the door when I saw her. I did not dawdle about to see what her intentions were.

TA: Can you think of anything else?

LRM: Of course. It reminds me of when I was examining the 1932, no I believe it was 1931, novel Light in August around the time you are discussing. No, I was right the first time. 1932. Definitely 1932. Anyway, the opening scene of that novel focuses on Lena Grove arriving in town with no shoes on. She is remembering going to town as a young child and waiting until the last minute to put her shoes on. I could have mistaken that research for something at the party. Very similar.

SM: Can you think of anything else that might help us in our investigation?

LRM: Oh, the investigation. No, I cannot. I would love to assist you, but I have no clue what I can bring to the table. I've been reading up on my Miss Marple since we last spoke in an attempt to help me understand what you do, but I can't think of anything I can offer.

SM: Well, you've helped a lot already. Thanks for your time, Doctor.

Interview ends -- 10:10 AM