That One Case

That One Case

Ana Florence paced the garden that grandly decorated the front of the judicial court. If it wasn’t for the case, she would have sat down on the bench and enjoyed this very scene. But, right now, the only thing that played her mind was, this case. Her lawyer, mercifully, had pretty much convinced the judge of her being guilty.

“I think it’s time for us to go in”. Mr. Florence quipped, looking at his watch then at the court’s entrance door, but not at his daughter. He just didn’t have enough strength.

Ana looked at her father, she had never seen him this depressed. He was the source of her strength, but now he looked devastated, almost…. dead. And she was not going to make him even more miserable.

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

~*~

Half an hour later, Ana, standing in the witness box, still looked guilty.

“Your Honor, Ms. Florence does not have any proof that Mr. Baron really did attempt to harass her. But it might be that Ms. Florence could be trying to exploit Mr. Baron of his money, given his grandeur status. In conclusion, You Honor, I would like to say that my client has been proven innocent and I would request the court to drop all the charges applied against him”. Mr. Baxley bowed and concluded his statement.

Ana looked at the defendant… it was now or never….

“Your Honor, honestly speaking, I have no idea if I could speak now or not, but may I?”, Ana asked faking in a slight hesitation.

The judge looked at Ana for a few seconds, but nodded.

“May I speak directly to Mr. Baxley?”

The judge nodded again.

“Thank you, Your Honor…. Mr. Baxley, Do you own a house?”

The defendant looked at the judge, confused and then back at Ana.

“Yes”

“And I take it that you like-… sorry love your house?”

“Of Course, who doesn't?”

Ana pasted a smile and said, “Not many. Now, do have a family? Kids?”

Mr. Baxley turned towards the judged. “Your Honor, these questions are irrelevant to the case. We are-“

“My apologies, I haven’t studied law, Your Honor. So, I wouldn’t know what to ask or how to ask. I thoroughly apologize for that again. But, Your Honor, these questions are relevant to this case”

“Proceed”. The judge mentioned his agreement.

“Thank you, Your Honor. Now, Mr. Baxley?, Do you have a family or not?”

“Yes, I have. A very happy one”, Ana smiled.

“Congratulations. And you don’t have any problems sleeping at night?”

Mr. Baxley started laughing. “No. I sleep soundly every night”

“Very nice to know. Now, with your permission, I would like to place you in a hypothetical situation, one, of your house getting burgled. Do I have your consent?”

Mr. Baxley had stopped laughing. “What is this?”

“Its all hypothetical, Mr. Baxley, you don’t have to worry. Do I have your consent?”, Ana repeated her question.

Mr. Baxley looked pointedly at Ana, but gave a nod.

“Thank you. Now, if your house is getting burgled, what would you do?”

“I’d call the police”

“Right, but the thieves won’t be waiting until the police turn up, would they?. It would be utter foolishness of them”. The court heard a few laughs at this.

“What do you think, they would do, Mr. Baxley? Run? Stick around?... or murder?

“They would obviously run”

“But you wouldn't be alive when they do that, am I right?”

Mr. Baxley shifted on his feet and said, “No”

“Of course not. Now, since it’s a hypothetical case, let’s just say, you fought them as a hero and somehow miraculously survived. The burglars ran for their lives, empty handed. Later, the police come in and investigate. You have everything at its rightful place, nothing has been moved nor have the doors been broken or any of the glasses shattered, just you standing there with a club and a few injuries. And for the sake of ease, we will keep your family at your mother’s house happily enjoying their vacation. Now, if the police see you in such a situation, what do you think they would say?”

“They will surely ask what has happened. And I would inform them about the attempted burglary”

Ana folded her arms across her chest. “Huh. But what about the proof? If thieves really entered your house, then why hasn't anything been taken? Why is it just you with few injuries?”.

“I would have already told them. I fought!!”

The court room had suddenly gone very silent.

“Of course, you fought. But without proof, it’s just another story. When they enquire about your family and find them on vacation, there is a tiny possibility that, they think of you as a lunatic who is trying to waste their precious time”

“I was hurt!! Why would I have injuries, if it wasn’t for a burglary attempt?”, Mr. Baxley accused.

“A person with mental problems hurts himself, Mr. Baxley”

“I’m not mental”

“Maybe, but as there’s no proof…. it might all be in your imagination”

Mr. Baxley’s point of patience had reached its peak.

“I’M NOT MENTAL. DID YOU WANT ME TO SAVE MY OWN NECK OR GATHER PROOF ABOUT BEING LOOTED?”

Ana smiled, a smile saying that she had heard what she wanted to hear.

“Exactly”

Mr. Baxley looked at her confused.

“Doesn't seem fair though? You wanted to “save your own neck”, so you fought the crooks, without actually waiting to get any proof. But, when I complain of being harassed, you wanted me to actually have some proof rather than saving myself?”

And now, there was no stopping Ana. Her face was lit with anger and disappointment at the injustice being done.

“When Mr. Baron, as per your statement, “graced” by, you wanted me to pull out my phone and take a video of it instead of defending myself?, A video, which so innocently, I hand in to the police, when I try to lodge a complaint. A video, that worms itself out to the internet, despite my phone getting sealed. A video, which people like you, expertly find it later”

“Watch your tongue, Madam”. Mr. Baxley had become very serious now.

Ana scoffed and rolled her eyes. She looked back at the defendant and opened her mouth to speak again, but closed it. She tried again, but failed. The fury of injustice was burning inside her. Finally, she controlled herself and spoke.

“You know what? I understand. I understand completely about how this works. I become your victim. I go to the police, who are nowhere interested in taking down my complaint, but do so, just to show off their duties. And then I hire a lawyer, who doesn't even try to fight my case and leave the case to people like you to make me look guilty. And to top all that a judge sits there, who’s probably been bribed to write the case against me. That way, I go back to my life, to get treated as a cheap woman who walks the streets, while your client walks out free… unscathed. See, I understand… Completely”

Mr. Baxley looked at the judge, who tried to sit more comfortable in his chair and then back at Ana.

“As you said, it’s all hypothetical”. He went and sat in his chair.

~*~

After a break of two hours, Ana and her father waited for the judgment in the court room, a small ray of hope shimmering, now that she had fought her case thoroughly.

The judge ordered for silence.

“After careful evaluation of the provided situation, the court has come to a final judgment. After listening to the statements and proofs provided by the defendant and the prosecutor, this court has come to the conclusion that, Ms. Florence had indeed over reacted to the situation and had attacked Mr. Baron. And as a result, she would have to pay for all the medical expenses, until Mr. Baron has been declared fit by his concerned doctor. Mr. Baron has been declared innocent and Ms. Florence’s accusation’s mute. Case adjourned.”

Ana sat there, motionless, unbelieving. Her father put a hand on her shoulder, but she neither recognized it nor felt it. Her lawyer had walked up to her and said he was sorry, but none of that fell on her ears. Is this how the court system worked? Is there no place for justice? Is that fair lady really that blind?

Mr. Florence slowly pulled her daughter up and walked her out.

~*~

Judge Roland reached his house, wiping a sweat off his brow. He was welcomed by a sweet smile from his wife. She took his coat and bag and went to place it in its right place.

“Where’s Lia? Can’t hear her crying?”, he said with a smile dancing on his face.

“She’s sleeping. It’s been quite a time, now that you mention it”. The pressure cooker’s whistle was heard in the kitchen. The wife indicated the judge to look at the baby, while she took care of the dinner. The judge smiled and went in to Lia’s room. There in a small crib, lay curled under the blankets, his precious source of happiness. He went closer to her, to see her lovely smiling face looking up at him. But he couldn’t find her. He pulled the blankets a little lower, thinking she might have curled up inside, but no… she wasn’t there either. Confused, he pulled the blankets completely off…… but instead of finding his granddaughter, he found a small neatly folded paper. The judge picked it up and read.

Hope she was worth the bribe