Mr. Ruby.

One and a half cups.

Mr. Herndon.

That's your usual amount of coffee you have?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

Did you have any coffee at lunch, Mr. Ruby?

Mr. Ruby.

No, I did not.

Mr. Herndon.

Now, Mr. Ruby, have you ever had a----

Mr. Ruby.

The reason why I say this, there was some newspaper items recently that brought up the fact that I was of unsound mind. Do I sound that way to you at the present time?

Mr. Herndon.

I don't feel that I am qualified at this time to make any statement in that regard. I'm sure you would understand that that is something you can't give in a moment's notice.

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

Would you care to sit over here, Mr. Ruby, and I will further explain the test to you.

Mr. Ruby.

Surely.
(At this time Mr. Ruby conferred with Mr. Fowler out of the hearing of this reporter and others in the room.)

Mr. Ruby.

All right.
(At this time Mr. Ruby seated himself in the polygraph test chair.)

Mr. Herndon.

This is a polygraph chair. The reason it is so constructed, we want to take advantage of these high arms [indicating arms on the polygraph chair] so that we can get a better tracing, and very frankly, Mr. Ruby, I want to give you as best an examination as I can. So, it's going to take a little time and I want you to relax as best you can. I realize you might be a little nervous, and I will certainly take that into consideration. Let me just briefly, Mr. Ruby, tell you about the polygraph examination and what we're going to do today. I want to proceed by hooking up some of these pieces of equipment and briefly tell you what it is. Now, may I ask you to remove the material you have in your pocket, sir, and you might want to give it to your counsel.

Mr. Specter.

Let the record show that Mr. Ruby has removed all the objects from his upper left-hand pocket.
(After removing objects mentioned, Mr. Ruby handed the same to Mr. Fowler.)

Mr. Herndon.

I gather from looking at your overalls that you don't have any restrictive garments or belts or anything underneath on you which would hinder you or your relaxation?

Mr. Ruby.

No, sir.

Mr. Herndon.

You are very comfortable?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

Very fine, Mr. Ruby. Now, Mr. Ruby, there are two ways I can do this. I can do two things--I can either go ahead and put this equipment on you right now and describe briefly how it's going to work, or if you want, I can go over these first series of questions and give you some instructions, and then put the equipment on. Which do you prefer?

Mr. Ruby.

Which is the most effective way to get what you want?

Mr. Herndon.

Well, I think in view of the fact that we will have some discussion here, I want to make sure that you perfectly understand these questions, I will go ahead and give you some basic instructions about how these questions are going to be asked and how I want you to answer them.

Mr. Ruby.

All right.

Mr. Herndon.

And then later on, as I hook you up, I will briefly describe what this equipment is going to do.

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

The polygraph examination will entail, as Mr. Specter indicated, just approximately 8 to 9 questions, Mr. Ruby, in what we call a series. Now, I'm going to go Over these questions with you right now very carefully. I want to make sure that the way I have them phrased is in such a way that you understand perfectly what I mean by them. We will discuss the question and you may if you want to, even answer the question at this time.

Mr. Ruby.

I would appreciate it myself.