Supercalifragilisticexpiali-guilty?

Part 4 Judgement

Hi there - thanks for your interest in my work.

I actually wrote this piece as a part of an HSC Major Work for Extension 2 English (A Year 12 course in Australia) and am looking forward to getting feedback on it as although it was marked as a part of my HSC - I (like everyone else) never got feedback for it. So I really want to know if you, my readers, like it or not.

I've uploaded the pdf (which contains original formatting and pictures) of it at the 'external link button' paired with this story if you wish to read it how it was originally presented (altogether). Also, as an author, I was able to create a reflection statement in which I get to explain and analyse my own story - this will be posted in the final part of this story. I have a feeling transferring it to here will throw out the formatting a bit - please see the pdf.

Thanks again and keen to get your feedback! (Literally - I want to know if you like it!)

-Desterman

Part IV Judgement

London Court File 256PLT

21st June 1911

Subsection C - Part B

Case: Banks Children Abduction and Suspected Murder

Governgress: Miss Poppins? MISS POPPINS? Did you hear the question?

Mary Poppins’s eyelids softly close and open again as if she has just awakened from a strange daydream. Yet with perfectly coiffed hair, she turns and looks at the Judge once more.

Mary Poppins:Of course I did and the answer I give you, Sir, is that children are very dear to me. When I see that a child has been treated like nothing more than a bill to pay, I offer my services in the hope that I can open their eyes to the world they live in.

Governgress:  Well that is all very noble, nevertheless we have it written here by Mrs Winnifred Banks that you give no references when you apply for such jobs. That, Miss Poppins, does not place you in a good position.

Mary Poppins:Why ever not?

Governgress: There is no proof that you indeed, as you say, have ‘opened the eyes of children’, which leads the Court to believe that it is not your true profession as you have no previous witnesses of your work!

The courtroom erupts into conspiring exclamations against the accused woman as men and women alike cry out in horror at this realisation. The lawyers sitting around the Prosecution desk begin to look at each other with smirks of triumph as the Banks woman once again starts to hysterically sob into her husband’s damp sleeve.

Mary Poppins: What poppycock! One doesn’t need what you call ‘proof’ to work in the profession that I do.

Governgress: One does Miss Poppins. Considering that this evidence has come to light, I do believe this issue may be deliberated upon by the Jurors.

Mary Poppins: You cannot just toss my opinions aside, I have the right –

Governgress: Silence! I now hand over proceedings to the Jury who will deliberate in a room separate from the Court. Please ensure your deliberations include unbiased thought and considerations upon what you have seen here today before the eyes of God –

Suddenly, a woman covered in a stylish, laced gown stands up in the middle of the jury box. Calling for the Court’s attention with a flimsy wave, she abruptly interrupts the Judge mid-sentence.

Lady Elmsa:   Your Honour – I speak on behalf of the Jury that we do not need to deliberate!

Hmph-ing with derision, Mary glowers at the frilled woman.

Mary Poppins:Indeed not for you have been speaking the entire Trial!

Lady Elmsa:   Quiet! As I was stating, Your Honour, the Jury believe that the evidence here before us today has been concrete enough for us to simultaneously come to the same conclusion, which we would now like to hand to you.

Governgress:  Very well, if it is your decision. Hand the Verdict to the Bailiff.

Striding across the room, the Bailiff takes the envelope from the woman’s hands and gives it to the Judge, who abruptly tears the seal and opens the Verdict.

Governgress:  I see. The Verdict, much deliberated upon by the Jury here today, finds that Mary Poppins, charged with abduction of the Banks children and suspected murder, is hereby guil—

A swift wind suddenly blows through the building of the Court house and causes the wooden beams to tremble under its force, throwing the room into chaos. People attempt to frantically run to safety under eaves and doorways while papers fly around the room and blind the gallery to what is happening at the Bench. Suddenly, the rear doors to the courtroom fly open with a BANG!. Standing in the centre of the doorway are five black silhouettes...

********

You sit staring at the commotion around you, unsure whether to move or stay in your place. Women fly past screaming at the shuddering walls of the building while the men try not to scream along with their wives. The Jury have scattered throughout the room and the wig of the Judge flies around on the buffeting winds. Despite the madness, you notice that running up the aisle amidst the flying papers and rumbling floor, are four short silhouettes; with another stopping short mid-aisle.

“Mother!”

“Father!”

Thank goodness everything had gone as planned. You, Bert, smile in relief at Mary’s strange uncle as you both feel that the burden of all her planning has finally paid off. Just as you begin to recall how you skilfully threw the clothes into the stream, the cries of the reunited family reach your ears over the rumble.

“What? The children!” cries Mrs Banks.

“Yes mother, you sent us to stay at Mary Poppins’ Uncle’s house! Don’t you remember? We asked you ever so sweetly if we could go,” replies Jane, accompanied by the gurgling giggles of her younger siblings.

“Father! I can’t believe you forgot too! We were ever so worried when we heard what you did to poor Mary Poppins,” scolds Michael.

Their parents’ cheeks begin to turn redder than a balloon as they whisper to each other.

“George – did we really?”

“Yes Winnifred...”

“Oh, George! Quick! Where’s Mary Poppins?”

Rushing through the madness towards the witness box, you see how the dumbstruck parents look over into the now-empty seat.

“Why George! There’s just a note left!”

"You do not understand what you have until it is gone. Only then do you appreciate its worth. But nonetheless, all is forgiven for, of course, I did have a hand in this myself. Until we meet again,

-Mary Poppins, Practically Perfect in Every Way"

         A sudden tap upon your shoulder wakes you from your musings to discover, that amid the rapidly emptying courtroom, a woman, framed like a Dutch doll in a blue dress is sitting beside you. Her familiar black umbrella with the parrot’s head lays across her lap as she turns to you, winking a clear blue eye.

“Oh Bert, thank you for helping Uncle Matthew and I, but I really do believe that after all this, we need a jolly holiday. What about New Zealand or perhaps Australia?"

At this, she takes your hand and together, you walk through the now drifting papers, up the aisle and away from the courtroom towards the open air of the London streets.

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