by David Dada
THREE
It was time for the arraignment and lecture theatre 404 was packed. Word of the trial had spread like wildfire and no one wanted to miss it, not even the professors. #MikeVsTaylor had become the trending topic and people were documenting the events as they unfolded. A poll had been made online asking people who they thought would win the trial and Taylor was leading, but not by a large margin. People might have hated Mike, but they did not let that get in the way of acknowledging his abilities.
Taylor had been seated in the theatre for close to twenty minutes and he had put his headphones on to drown out the noise in the room. He had tried calling Emily’s number repeatedly, but it was not going through, so he got to doing his assignments to keep his mind off the whole debacle. He had no idea how this would unfold but he was prepared for anything.
Mike had gotten in before him and was seated at the table to his right. He had walked over to where Taylor was seated and said something about how he was going to mop the floors with him. Taylor had waived him off and had turned his attention to his notes.
Professor Wishbourne, the legal management professor, had agreed to be the judge and he was running late. Taylor just wanted the whole thing to start so they could be done with it.
“All rise!” Maris, the acting clerk, called as Professor Wishbourne walked in.
Everyone but Taylor sat down as the judge sat.
“Taylor Rhodes, please step forward.” Maris waited for him to do so. “You are being charged with battery and assault for your attack on your classmate on the ninth of November 2017. This carries a punishment of three weeks community service. Do you understand the charges pressed against you today?”
“Yes, I do.”
“How do you plead?”
“Nolo contendere.”
“Your honour, the accused pleads a no contest.” Maris turned to Taylor “You may be seated.”
“Let it be on record that the accused pleaded nolo contendere or a no contest.” Professor Wishbourne addressed the courtroom as Taylor walked back to his seat
Mike stood and adjusted his necktie. “Your honour, the prosecution would like to request that the trial begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow seeing as it is already too late to begin today.” He smiled.
“Mr. Rhodes is that fine with you?” Professor Wishbourne asked.
Taylor nodded slowly. “Yes, your honour.”
“Trial begins tomorrow at 9 a.m.” Professor Wishbourne hit the gavel against his desk. “Dismissed”
“All rise!” Maris called again.
Everyone got up and waited for Professor Wishbourne to leave before they moved out. Taylor was still getting his things in order when Mike walked up to him.
“Hope you’re ready to do community service, Taylor.”
Taylor scoffed. “You really think you will win this?” He bent to pick his pen and a few sheets of paper that had fallen off his desk. “There is no way I am losing to you and by tomorrow, I doubt I would even be on trial”
Mike frowned. “What do you mean?”
Taylor stepped closer to Mike. “I mean you better get ready for a fight because I am coming at you with the force of an actual law firm fighting a goddamn lawsuit.”
Mike smiled sarcastically and walked out, intentionally bumping into Taylor on the way. Taylor just smiled and went on gathering his things. He did not know where that had come from, but it felt good. If Mike wanted a war, he was more than willing to give him one.
Mike was shaken. Taylor had just threatened to come after him with full force and that did not look good for him. He could not possibly let that slide and he hoped what he was about to do would throw Taylor off his guard.
***
Emily had not gone for Taylor’s arraignment. She had decided to stay in the cafeteria, far from all the drama. She had expressly told Taylor to avoid getting in a fight with Mike but the both of them had managed to get the whole school talking about something that was not meant to be important. Plus, she had been working on something to help Taylor. If there was going to be a war, she was undoubtedly on Taylor’s side and her side had to win.
Emily was currently reading Skulduggery Pleasant: The Dying of the Light, the ninth instalment of the book series. Derek Landy was definitely her favourite author, Marissa Meyer coming in at second place and Dan Brown in third place. The Skulduggery Pleasant series were a marvel and it still surprised her that she had not read the latest instalment earlier. She had books one to eight in a special drawer in her room; it was the only book series she had all the books of. She related to Valkyrie on so many levels and she would always fantasize about being cast to play Valkyrie if a movie was ever to be made.
“May I?” Alex interrupted her reading as he pulled a chair.
“Sure”.
“We need to talk.” Alex sat.
She closed her book and set it on the table. “About what?”
“Taylor’s case. I noticed you weren’t in the courtroom.” Alex took a sip of his drink. “What is he going to do about this mock trial?”
“To be honest, I don’t know and I would rather not talk to him about it. The less I know, the better so I won’t have to lie in case that twat Mike calls me to the stand.”
“True. ” Alex nodded. “I knew Mike was conniving, but I never expected him to go this far.”
“I am not surprised, and I am really not bothered because I trust Taylor and I know there’s no way he’ll lose to Mike.”
“I see the both of you are having fun discussing this case.” Mike stood at the head of the table. “I hope you don’t mind me interrupting but Emily, I came here to give you this.” He handed her a folded piece of paper.
Emily unfolded it and read through the contents. “You really are a fucking douchebag.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a subpoena, Alex.” Mike answered with a smile. “She is the second witness I would call tomorrow and I can’t afford to not have her there.”
“Well, since you’ve decided to go all out, I guess there is no reason for me to have Taylor keep his promise.”
“What promise?” Mike asked with a frown.
“The promise I made him make to not humiliate you more than absolutely necessary.”
“If you think I am losing to him, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“Then let’s find out who’s the better between the both of you tomorrow. See you in court.” Emily picked up her book and got back to reading. “Now get out of my face.”
“You little…” Mike took a second to breathe. “See you tomorrow.” He walked away.
“Are you going to tell Taylor about this?”
“No. I’ll leave that to Mike and if he doesn’t, he’ll just give Taylor more time to prepare.” Emily checked her watch. “I’ve got to go. See you later Alex.”
“See ya.”
Emily stood up and left, leaving Alex behind.
***
Mike was standing outside the gents. He was not sure how to proceed but he knew he had to tell Taylor about the subpoena. He took a deep breath and walked in. He met Taylor washing his hands, so he started washing his hands too.
Taylor glanced at Mike and then went back to washing his hands. “What do you want now?”
“Why do you think I want something?”
“You have that look on your face.”
“What look?”
“Like someone just stepped to you and called you out on your shit.” Taylor stopped washing his hands and started drying them on the paper towels he had gotten from the dispenser.
“Fine. I subpoenaed Emily.”
“You what?” Taylor glared at Mike and he looked like he was about to hit him.
“You heard me.” Mike also started drying his hands. “She’s the second witness I’ll call to the stand.”
“You did not have to subpoena her. It is not a real court case remember?”
“Oh no my friend. This became real the second you told me you were coming at me like
an actual law firm.”
Taylor chuckled. “I only did that to scare you and I am glad you fell for it. Now, knowing Emily, she probably already told you she is not going to make me keep my promise so you better get ready because as from tomorrow, you will be begging me to stop coming after you.”
Taylor strutted out leaving Mike speechless yet again. Mike looked into the mirror and could have sworn on anything that he saw his reflection laughing at him. Taylor had been getting the upper hand the whole day and he really needed to do something to change that.
***
Taylor received a text that read “MEET ME IN LECTURE THEATRE 405 NOW!” He did not bother checking who it was from since he knew only Emily would message him in all caps.
The hallways were now deserted and those who were still around were walking with their groups of friends, heading to the dormitory. It was 6:03 p.m. and school was practically over. Taylor took his time to get to the lecture theatre. He did the Robot, Foxtrot, Ballet, the Moonwalk and a handful of other dances just to make sure he made Emily wait. Taylor stopped five steps to the room and ran in to make it look like he was trying to get there early. He saw her sitting at the far end of the class, a scowl on her face.
“Hey. I got here as fast as I could.” Taylor smiled and walked over to where Emily was sitting.
“No, you didn’t. You took your time.” Emily crossed her hands in front of her.
“Why did you summon me here, your Majesty?” Taylor curtseyed before taking his seat.
“It has come to my attention that you shit the bed and couldn’t handle the simple task I gave you.”
“I did apologize but Mike said it did not change a thing. He was hell bent on having this trial so I humbly obliged, your Majesty.”
“That clears things up.”
There was a long pause. It was almost like they were trying to ignore the giant elephant in the room.
“So…” Emily tucked her hair behind her ears, breaking the silence. “Mike told you already, didn’t he?”
“Yes he did.”
“So you know you don’t have to keep your promise right?”
“Yup.”
“Need my help with something?”
“Nope.” Taylor said and immediately added. “Actually, on second thought, maybe you could help me find a video of what happened. It would really help my case.”
Emily smiled. “Check your phone.”
“You beautiful genius.” He pinched her cheek before browsing his phone. It did not take too long for him to find the video. “How did you know I would need it?”
“I know you and I knew the second Mike told you he was going to call me to the stand, you’d try and get the case thrown out.” Emily shrugged. “It is the only thing that can help your case.”
“Yes but I also…”
“Need to get back at Mike.” Emily cut him off. “I already spoke to Chloe and I got her to agree to let you file a countersuit for emotional distress and also let you represent her.”
Taylor’s mouth hung open slightly. He took the folded piece of paper she handed him and scanned through it.
“You just have to present this detailed countersuit tomorrow.”
“Thanks E. Where did you even learn to make a countersuit?” Taylor asked bewildered.
“The internet is a really good teacher.” Emily smiled.
Taylor chuckled. “I am guessing you now know what happened.”
“Yes I do. Chloe didn’t hesitate to fill me in on the sordid details. I can’t believe they actually did that.”
“I know right. So unthinkable.”
“We have to promise we won’t do that as well.”
“I cannot promise anything E.” Taylor managed to get out of the way of Emily’s hand that was definitely meant to hit him.
“You are really annoying. You know that right?”
“I do know.” Taylor sighed “Oh well. There is a high chance that I will have to call you to the stand though.”
“I know.”
“I am also thinking of treating you as a hostile witness.” Taylor smiled.
“I would literally leave the stand and smack you across the face.”
Taylor chuckled. “I am just kidding.”
Emily stared at him. She knew something was going on in his mind. “What’s wrong?”
Taylor stood and walked to the other end of the class.
“What gave it away?”
“You said just kidding.”
“It is just that I do not know what Mike and Maya are up to.” Taylor leaned on the window and looked outside. “There was no reason for them to go this far. I mean a mock trial is kind of like a large extent to go to just to have revenge on someone.” He ran his hands through his hair.
Emily walked over to where he was standing. “True but you’ll have time to figure that out later. Right now, all you need to worry about is how you’re going to kick Mike’s ass in court.” She took his hand and held it in hers for a while.
“Thanks E.” Taylor squeezed her hand a little and let it go. “Now, I have got to go get ready to be kickass tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget to set your alarm.”
“I do not have to.”
“And why’s that?” Emily asked with a hint of a smile on her face.
“You are going to call me five minutes before I am even supposed to wake up and leave a message telling me how proud you are of me and that I am about to make you a lot prouder.” He grinned.
“How do you know that?”
“You told me to set an alarm.”
“Touché.” Emily kissed his cheek and started to leave. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Taylor watched her leave and waited a long time before walking out. Tomorrow was going to be a long day and it was no doubt going to be fun. He could not wait.
FOUR
Taylor had woken up at 7:05 a.m. He checked his phone and smiled. He had a missed call and a voicemail from Emily at exactly 7:00 a.m. He listened to it and it said exactly what he already knew it would say. He got up from his bed and looked around his dorm room which was a complete mess. He did not have time to clear the place and he would not have cleared it even if he had the time. He stretched and sluggishly walked to the bathroom. He was out after about an hour and started getting dressed. Staying on campus during the weekdays was proving to be a good idea because he would have always been late for classes if he had to come from home every day. He looked at his bedside clock and the time read 8:30 a.m. He still could not tell why it took him so long to get ready. He dashed out of his room and headed for the cafeteria where he had a light breakfast since he could not afford to get sleepy in court.
It now was 9 a.m. and it was a beautiful Friday morning: the birds were chirping outside, and the sun was smiling down on earth. Lecture theatre 404 was packed once again and it was noisy. The smell of coffee laced the air and people had come with varieties of snacks like they were about to watch a movie. They were ready to be entertained and Taylor was there to entertain them.
“All rise!” Maris called as Professor Wishbourne walked in.
Everyone stood and as it was routine, they sat back down immediately the judge sat. Only Mike and Taylor were left standing.
“Both of you may take your seats.” Professor Wishbourne took off his glasses. “Some rules as we begin this trial, rules for you to follow and if these rules are broken, I wouldn’t hesitate to punish the offender.
“For the courtroom, no shouting or booing is allowed and please, eat your snacks quietly. For the lawyers, no cuss words, no shouting, you can object while sitting and I don’t want to have this drag on for too long so please, no plot twists. There will be no jury and I will be the judge for the case, meaning my decisions are final. Any questions?” There was no response. “Alright. Let’s begin.”
Taylor stood. “Your honour, before we begin, I will like to file a motion to dismiss this suit. I would have done this at the arraignment
, but I did not have any evidence.”
“On what grounds?” Mike asked, shocked.
“On the grounds that there are no sufficient facts for the court to even waste time convening to decide the outcome of a pathetic attempt at getting payback.” Taylor snapped.
“There is the fact that you punched me in the face and I have evidence to prove it.” Mike snapped back.
“Both of you come forward. Now!” Professor Wishbourne stared at the both of them and rubbed his forehead. “What did I just say about there being no shouting?”
“Sorry your honour” The two chorused.
Professor Wishbourne waived the apology off. He knew this would be tasking and did not doubt for one second that these two would be breaking the rules frequently, so he decided to move on with the case.
“Now Mr. Rhodes, can you clearly explain to the courtroom why you want the case dismissed?”
“Yes, your honour.” Taylor walked back to his table and got his phone. “I am sure the evidence Mr. Marlon is planning to show the court is the same as the one I have and mine may be even better as my own video has the whole event recorded.”
He set the phone down before Professor Wishbourne and hit the play button.
“This video shows that I was trying to get Mr. Marlon to calm down and listen to what I was saying but he decided to come after me, even after I warned him not to. I even tried to make peace with a handshake, but he did not accept it.
“I will admit to the fact that I did punch him and enjoyed it but if Mr. Marlon here is not ready to tell the court what it is I was not supposed to tell Miss. Smith, there is no reason to try this case as battery and assault but to regard it as a fight between two classmates in which I was the victor, your honour.” Taylor’s face beamed with a smile.
Professor Wishbourne returned Taylor’s phone. He gave him a once over and looked at Mike. “Mr. Marlon, do you have any objections?”
“No, your honour.” Mike said, the look of defeat plastered on his face.
“Are you ready to tell the court what you didn’t want Miss. Smith to know?”
