Oral arguments are usually a time for the Justices to poke into arguments made in the briefs, get answers to questions and deepen a particular point.
The worst is when they just sit there while you are speaking. Then you have to make points in response to other briefs and arguments that came before you in turn.
Often the justices signal where they are heading during oral arguments.
I never went to the Supreme Court but have argued a fair number of Appeal court cases, both federal and state. I love the process.
