The Fine

Chapter 3 - The Justice

A few hours ago, Elmore was a normal, peaceful, functioning city with friendly residents and it's weird-but-wonderful nature. Around the evening, everything fell apart; Law, order, society, economics, pretty much anything associated with any average life. And all because everyone was driven mad after looking at what the DAO had in store for the future of Elmore Stream-It, which included a confusing algorithm distinguishing content as either for kids or not for kids, the lack of context given about how to mark a video correctly, and the bankrupting $50,000,000 penalty per violation.

The following morning...

...everything's back to normal, peaceful, functional, friendly, weird-but-wonderful, you name it.

No clue can be disclosed on how the heck the city went back to it's daily average self overnight. Maybe it was the sign of hope on the horizon. Perhaps it's the idea that someone actually has the audacity to challenge a federal legislation such as FOTOL.

But who cares? I don't wanna stray down the path for those steering off-topic.

The headlines on news sites and newspapers that morning included "Steampunk challenges Federal law", "'Your way of protecting children is hurting innocent people' says Smith Williamson", "Millions will suffer' claims steampunk criticising FOTOL", "DAO has yet to comment on Smith's words", and so much more in relation to the case.

And inside the Wattersons' house, everyone was preparing for any outcome, either the best they hope for or the worst they've prepared for.

Nicole and Richard were getting fully dressed and ready for the courthouse, which they were expected to be at by midday.

"Richard, remember what I said about forgetting about our best clothes yesterday when you asked about them while we were preparing for the worst?" asked Nicole, still in her morning gown, looking through the wardrobe.

"Yes?" Richard responded, exiting the bathroom in his underwear.

"You didn't take that too seriously, right?"

"Um...of course I didn't, Honey. I'll just go for my, um, morning jog".

And just like that, Richard was gone in a flash, falling down the stairs on the way out after passing  the kids' room. It was clear he took Nicole's words from the previous day too seriously and was bound for the dump where he left their best attire.

"Morning jog?" wondered Nicole. Normally, Richard's only morning jogs are very short ones with the couch being his usual destination.

Richard fell right through the door and ran past Smith, who was just pulling onto the sidewalk in front of the lawn with Kyle, who was rebuilt the previous hour after being rammed by a hijacked bus the previous evening.

"I want to help these guys, but sometimes I just wonder what that rabbit's parents have been teaching him" Kyle thought, seeing Richard running down the street almost naked except for his underwear.

They entered the house after parking the vehicle and really couldn't comment on how much nicer it looked than yesterday. There were other matters that day that needed attention.

"So, remind me why I'm here again?" asked Kyle.

"You have to babysit the kids" replied Smith. "I really think they're too young to get involved any further".

"You do remember why I dashed onto the road yesterday evening, right?" said Kyle, pointing out that he no longer wanted any involvement either.

"And that landed you in the repair-shop".

Kyle knew his partner had a point. 

"So I just have to watch the kids all day until the case is closed?"