May 15, 1996 Dear Diary, It is 8:30 A.M. on a Friday at 80 Center Street, office of the County Clerk. After years of disregarding summonses to jury duty, I have appeared today before the judge as requested and state my case. I am a steadily working opera singer and when not working need to be available for any auditions. "The fine for such negligence, " the judge says, "will be $250 or" - pause - "you can sing for me." I sing Carmen's "Habanera." Everyone applauds, he smiles, reduces the fine to $10, and I have a date for jury duty in September. ALEXANDRA O. HUGHES