I walked back to my chair and sat down next to Matthew. "How goes it," he asked. "I ran into a defense supporter at Subway, but I'm good. You?" I replied. "Fine," he murmured. The judge struck the table again and the crowd went silent. "Prosecution, first witness please," the judge rumbled. Matthew stood up and walked slowly to the witness stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth and only the whole truth," the judge asked him. "I swear," his voice echoed though speakers on the walls. The judge waved at him to tell his story and Matthew began to speak. His words floated through the air. I zoned out again as they asked him question after question. I zoned back in when our opponent was called to the stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth and only the whole truth," the judge repeated. "Yeah, sure," smirked the defendant.
"Name?"
"Ash W."
"Full name."
"Ashton Crystal Wilds." That is an interesting middle name.
"From you perspective what happened yesterday at the mall?"
Time to hear a twisted tale.
"Well, I suppose I should give some backstory on why I was at the mall. I was searching for a gift to give an ill friend of mine."
Digging for sympathy huh.
"I looked for hours, with no luck to find the perfect gift. I was getting slightly angry and my hunger wasn't helping."
This'll be good.
"I saw the pretzel stand and was delighted, I loved their pretzels. I waited patiently in line, only to be given the deviating news. They were out of my pretzel. I suppose that was the final straw in a stressful day. I let my anger get the better of me."
You couldn't see on the menu they were out.
"I wasn't thinking of the consequences when I did all the stuff afterwards. Once I came back to my senses in the holding cell did I realized what I had done. All I felt was shame. Shame at my actions, and the hope that those I had wronged could find it in their hearts to forgive me. I understand if you can't." His eyes were cast downwards in 'shame' I heard slight awes coming from the crowd. You are a great actor sir. But I shall tear your act to the ground.
"There was a clear sold out label over your pretzel option on the menu. Did you not see it while waiting in line?"
Thank you!
"No, your honor. My gaze was focused on my phone."
"Lies," Matthew whispered to our lawyer and I. I nodded slightly.
"Prosecutors, your other main witness please," the judge turned to us. I let out a tense breath and stood up. I walked over to the witness stand and stared out over the crowd and cameras.
"Do you swear to tell the truth and only the truth?"
I sighed, "I swear."
"Name?"
"Jackie Greenwood Silversmith." Hurray for weird middle names.
"From you perspective, what happened yesterday at the mall?"
I sighed again. Here we go. "I was about half an hour into my shift as a security guard at the mall. I was patrolling near the food court when I got a call from Grim."
"Who is Grim?"
"The guy who watches the cameras on my shift."
"Ah, continue."
"Grim told me there was an issue by the pretzel cart on the first floors south wing. I dashed over there as quickly as I could. Probably doing some slightly dangerous stunts along the way. When I arrived I saw." I paused and turned to the defendant,"Do you prefer Ash or Ashton?
"Ash," he replied.
I cleared my throat, " I saw Ash yelling at Matthew. I stopped their yelling, by startling them. And told Ash that since this was his first offense, he would not be asked to leave or arrested, but if anything else happened I would have to take action. I asked him if he understood. I turned to ask Matthew if he was ok when Ash slapped me and said and I quote, 'I understand that a bitch needs to be shown her place. This is a mans world sweetheart.' Gasps rippled through the crowd. "I told him that what he had done was an arrestable offense and cuffed him. The entire time I was doing that he was continuing to try and hit me. I walked him to the security office, which is located on the second floor. When we reached the top of the stairs he managed to jerk himself out of my grasp. He pushed me down the stairs. I got up and chased after him. He tripped as I caught up to him. I pulled him off the ground probably a little rougher than I needed to. I led him to the office and placed him in the holding cell so that Grim could keep an eye on him. I then went back to the pretzel stand to talk to Matthew.
"Interesting," the judge nodded, "we will allow questions in just a few minutes. Please stay at the stand."
