Robert asks, “Wow, you really had to do some rerouting didn’t you? Didn’t my wiring chart help at all?”
Doing some quick thinking of his own, Sandoval answers, “Yes, it’s just– It’s not that. I had to do some testing that’s all. It’s really not as bad as it looks, sir. I’ll have it back to normal by the time I leave. Except for that one run going upstairs through the damaged wall. I can fix that too, but I need something at the shop.”
Hinton seizes the opportunity and says, “Hey, George, maybe somebody back at the shop can bring you what you need, did you ever reach the people back at the shop?” He is speaking of course of him reaching the FBI, and the NSA team in town.
Sandoval, “Yeah, yeah; and I got all the numbers. I spoke with Ramirez, and the assistant, and he has all the specs.”
Hinton, “Okay, great, maybe they want to look into pizza delivery also.”
Realizing what he’s saying, Sandoval says, “Okay, I’ll call them. I’m sure they’ll want to check them out.” Turning to Robert he asks, “What’s the name again, sir?”
Still distracted by Sandoval’s equipment, Robert says, “Huh? Oh, um Pizza Daddy-O. I don’t know if they go to your– You know? I’ve never heard of your business,” motioning towards his name badge, “Electric Store, Where’s your shop located anyway?”
Sandoval is saved from answering by a call from Joanna upstairs, “Roooobert.”
Robert, “Oh, we’re taking too long, did we get what you wanted?”
Sandoval, “Anything’s fine with me, sir.”
Again the call comes, “Robert?” And off the two men head upstairs. When Robert turns his back to head upstairs, Sandoval taps Hinton on the shoulder and motions to indicate that he will send him and Lauren a text message to let them know what he heard from Washington.
Family Court
On the main level of the Market’s home, the stage is set for the main event, a potential disagreement between Robert and Joanna. After hearing about Robert’s speeding ticket from James, and considering that he arrived home under police escort, Joanna has a few questions.
Lauren, in an attempt to give the Markets some privacy, says to Joanna, “Should I go get started in the kitchen?”
Joanna, “You don’t know where anything is, and this’ll only take a minute.”
Robert comes up and says innocently, “Who’s placing the order? There are no topping preferences from the guys.”
Joanna, who is ready to have fun with Robert says, “So, Mario, what’s this I hear about a speeding ticket?”
Robert is completely surprised, “What ticket?”
Joanna, “Come on, Jimmy already told me.”
Robert, “Well, Jimmy told you wrong.”
Joseph says to Lauren, “Mario?”
Lauren shrugs her shoulders and says, “I’m guessing Mario Andretti? He was a race car driver.”
Joseph, “Oh, ’cause Super Mario Bros just didn’t make any sense!” They both laugh.
Joanna senses that Robert did not receive her attempt at lighthearted sparring and decides that perhaps it’s something better handled privately. But now James feels he’s created a mess and tries to fix it. “But, Dad.”
Robert, “No, but, Dad, you made an assumption and it wasn’t correct son.”
His strong stance with James now has Joanna feeling uneasy. Their conclusions are very logical and Robert is being harsh in front of his company. She says, “Robert, you have to admit that with you showing up under police escort yesterday, it only made sense that–”
Robert, “I know, but by the grace of God I did NOT get a ticket, okay?”
“Okay,” answers Joanna, and to everyone’s relative satisfaction and relief, it appears to be the end of the discussion. Joanna moves towards the kitchen grabbing a flashlight and a candle and motions to Lauren to follow her.
Joseph appears lost in thought, kind of staring off into space, so James snatches the pizza order from him, pulls out his cell phone and places the call. But just as everything seems to be moving on, Joseph brings the whole mess back by turning to his dad with, “But, Dad, you guys always say that nothing is hidden from God, so we shouldn’t hide stuff from you.”
Robert, “Yes son, that’s right–”
Joseph, “and that what ever is true for us, is also true for you.”
Robert, “Yeees.”
Joseph, “Well, isn’t this like earlier, when Mom failed to tell you about messing up the fire family planning thing–”
Robert, “Family Fire Evacuation Procedure.”
Joseph, “Yeah, the … that. Is this not the same as when she didn’t tell you about that, you not telling her about the speeding ticket?”
Joanna, who was just entering the swinging kitchen door with Lauren right behind her stops dead in her tracks, causing Lauren to run into the back of her! She swoops around and comes back into the living room. Lauren, who was left standing there, drops her head and shoulders and reluctantly follows.
Al Hinton, who’d been quietly going over his papers, and seemingly oblivious to the whole conversation, grumbles, “Humph, so close.”
Joanna sees a chance to perhaps vindicate herself a little and says, “What a brilliant observation Joey, remind me to make your favorite dinner tomorrow.”
With a slight little smile Robert looks around at everyone, Lauren is in the entryway from the dining room, next to her is James, to their left is Joanna a few feet further into the room, next to Joseph who’s in his favorite chair (the one he was asleep in, the night before), Mr. Hinton is sitting on the floor near the damaged wall with papers and a clip board.
After the proper dramatic pause Robert provides his answer, “Alright, court is in session!”
All the other Markets moan, “Oh, noooooo!”
Joanna says, “Never mind, never mind, let’s just let it–”
“No, no,” says Robert. “My family wants to examine my behavior, the subjects of a kingdom have the right to evaluate its leader.”
Lauren says to James, “Court is in session? What’s that mean?”
James, “It’s a little thing my dad does where he …” he shakes his head; “it’s, it’s not good. We’ve definitely stepped into a quagmire. Your only hope is to fake like you’ve fainted.” She laughs.
“Hold it, hold it,” says Robert. “Jimbo, did you place the order?”
James, “Yes, sir, they’ll need a credit card when they get here.”
Robert, “Okay, okay, now, let’s see, what were the charges?”
Joanna pleads, “Robert, I really don’t think, with company you really want to–”
Robert, “Alright. So, it appears we have our first motion, a motion to dismiss, I’m a fair judge, willing to listen to the people, I motion that we press on and let justice be served. Does anybody else want to proceed with the trial to see if I’ve misled my family?”
“Nooooooooooo!” Says the whole room.
Robert, “Okay, okay. Um, motion denied!” and with a big smile, “and ah, shut up.” Everyone laughs.
Sitting down, Joanna says with a smile, “Oh, Lordy.”
Robert continues, “Okay, here’s how this works, after clean, unembellished statement of the facts, you, the jury, will be given a chance to vote on a slip of paper either guilty, or not guilty. You can add an explanation of why, but that’s totally up to you.”
An incredulous Al Hinton drops what he’s doing, walks over, and says, “I don’t mean to be rude, but does your dentist fill your cavities with, crack?” Everyone laughs again. He proceeds to excuse himself from participation “This is a family matter, I’m not about to–”
“Wait, wait! We make it fun. Watch,” insists Robert.
James, just like his dad earlier, conceals his mouth with his hand and leans over to Lauren to say, “Wanna bet?”
Robert turns to him and says, “I heard that! Will not anyone back me on this?”
Joanna, “People, let’s just get through it.”
&nb
sp; Turning to her, Robert says enthusiastically, “Now, there’s the spirit … almost!”
Hinton sits down his papers and shaking his head in disbelief mutters, “I wonder what channel we’re on!” then, loud enough to be heard, “Okay, I’ll bite.”
“Good!” Says Robert. “So, In the matter of Did Robert mislead his family under the precedent of Joanna’s fire procedure omission, the court is in session.”
James, “What did Mom do wrong?”
“Quiet please.” Says his dad, who then motions to his wife and says, “Joanna, please begin.”
She gets up, and making the most of the situation gets into character. She assumes the disposition of someone who is shy and afraid to talk into a pretend microphone. “Hi, um, my name is Joanne Rose Market, and um–”
“I object!” Robert interrupts, “The witness is obviously trying to use feminine wiles and beauty to influence the jury. She knows I love when she uses her full name!”
Hinton, “I guess this would be the fun you were promising.”
Lauren, “You know, I feel faint;” which makes the boys crack up laughing.
“May I continue?” says Joanna.
Staring down his two boys to sober them up, Robert says, “Yes Miss, please do.”
Joanna, “Well, on Friday last, I– I awoke to a house full of flames–”
Robert, “Full of flames? Might I remind you, you are under oath.”
Everyone says, “No she’s not!” and they laugh.
“Anyway,” proceeds Joanna, “I had a split second to collect my only child from certain death–”
“HEY!” says James.
Joanna, “He was the only child in the house!”
Hinton looks at the whole scene with nostalgia. Here this family is in the middle of a national event; their very lives in danger—unawares; they’ve just had a serious fire; and yet, here they all are; having fun, peace, and the joy of family. He thinks it’s quite remarkable.
Joanna continues with dramatic flare, flailing her arms about in demonstration, “… and struggling through the smoke and the flames, I picked up the phone and while searching to pluck my son from the hungry flames and constricting smoke, I managed to call the fire department before exiting the premises; which was not the letter of the pre-agreed procedures. When I spoke to my husband–”
James, now understanding what she did, says, “Oooooh!”
Joanna looks at him and says, “WHEN I spoke to my husband about following procedures, I did not volunteer that information because a crisis was still unfolding.”
James sees her meaning and says simply, “Oh.”
She ends with a flourish worthy of a Broadway diva. And the room breaks out in applause, even Agent Hinton!
Robert stops clapping and raises his voice to be heard, “Now, now. According to the rules of this court, I get to ask one question.”
James and Joseph, in unison, “Uh-ohh.”
Picking up on her mood, Robert paces out towards the dining room, then dramatically spins around and says, “Mrs. Market, isn’t it true, that in your conversation with your husband on Friday last, he was left with the understanding, that everything occurred according to the Family Fire Evacuation Procedure that you and your dear trusting family had practiced not thirty days prior?”
Still timid, though perhaps with a little more authenticity, Joanna responds, “Um, uh, well, I would have to admit–”
“How could she know what was in her husband’s head?” interjects Lauren.
“Hey, no coaching, the jury cannot coach!” says Robert.
Joanna, thinking about it a moment, says to Lauren, “Ooh. Good point my learned new friend,” then to the room, “Your honor, lady and gentlemen of the jury, I’d have to say that I, um, cannot be sure as to the state of mind of my husband.”
“If you want my opinion …” interjects Hinton.
“Alright, alright” says Robert. “Thanks Mr. Hinton, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary. I guess, then, it’s my turn. Joey, please prep the voting sheets; six voting sheets please.” While Joseph does that, Robert turns to Joanna and graciously says, “You may step down young lady.”
And in a flirtatious manner she says back, “Well, thank you, your honor.”
To which James says, “Oh, brother.”
And Joseph replies, “Yes?” All of which makes Lauren chuckle.
Robert continues, “So, let’s see. It was Friday night, and I was rushing home to save my family from certain death!”
“Oh, brother, is right!” says Hinton, adding, “I thought there wasn’t to be any embellishing!”
Robert, “SHE was in a house full of flames and NOW you object?”
Hinton, “With her it was sweet and cute; with you, your honor, it’s just a precursor to disbarment.”
Everyone laughs, and Robert says, “Oh, now he gets into the spirit! All right. All right. So, I’m driving home to the aid of my family, okay? And in my haste I may or may not have strayed beyond the posted speed limit. In fact, it is possible that the officer, recognizing that it was he who was in error–”
Joanna pipes in, “Or simply recognizing him as Minister Market.”
To which Robert turns to her, winks, clears his throat and continues, “Decided NOT to cite me, and instead granted me escort to my hurried destination. Upon arriving I was not questioned by anyone on this matter, and thus, I did not willingly mislead anyone at any time!” Narrating even the stage cues, he says, “And he takes a bow;” taking a dramatic deep bow, “and the court room erupts in thunderous applause!”
But there is nothing but dead silence, which Hinton embellishes with the sound effect of crickets.
“Aw, c’mon!” exclaims Robert, and everyone breaks out laughing. After a minute of genuine merriment, Robert, wiping tears from his eyes says, “So, the question before us is, is Mr. Market guilty of misleading his family as set by the precedent of Mrs. Market with regard to what she told me—Uh, her husband—about following the fire procedures.”
Hinton says, “What about her one question?”
“That’s right!” says Joanna jumping to her feet enthusiastically. “Thank you Mr. Hinton. I get a question; and that question is …” She thinks a minute, then, looking at Joseph, she gets an idea, a brilliant idea, and effectively switches the focus of the case. “Mr. Market,” she asks, “if one of the Market family children arrived home under a police escort, and the parents were dealing with a crisis of some sort—let’s say a home fire alarm was triggered—would the parents have to enquire as to the nature of the said offspring’s escort; or, under Market family rules, would that explanation be, guaranteed, expected; and if not presented, presumed an offense of omission?”
“WOW!” they all say, even Robert.
Impressed with her legal maneuvering, he does a little maneuvering of his own, “Where the heck’s that pizza? I’m getting awful hungry here!”
Everyone laughs again.
As the laughter fades, he says, “Um, let’s see. If we have a crisis and one of our boys pulls up under police escort–”
“And may I remind you, though you may not be under oath, sir, your children ARE present in the courtroom today,” says Joanna as she motions towards James and Joseph.
“Uh-huh,” says Robert. “Well, I guess I’d have to say that, yes, it would be an offense of omission.”
And the room again cheers for Joanna.
Speaking over the commotion, Robert says, “But, but, buuuuuuuut, the question—the case before us today—is whether my omission, the omission of Robert Market, was misleading in the same manner as the non-disclosure of Mrs. Market.” Despite her very clever misdirection, Robert has managed to bring the mock trial back to its original point. They all quiet down and begin to ponder. “So, let’s have those votes.”
Suddenly, a strange quiet falls over the blend of family, new friend, and the work associate. It would appear that, even though executed largely in jest and lighthearted fun, the interesti
ng exercise that the Markets use to settle family disputes has everyone taking the voting quite seriously. James changes his vote at least once, and Joseph three times for sure! Hinton and Lauren are the first ones done.
When Joanna finishes, she announces, “Well, Robert, you were right.” And after an audible gasp from someone in the room, she continues. “This did turn out to be fun! Lauren, would you still be willing to help me, even though I’m on trial?”
Rising to her feet with a smile she says, “I don’t know, maybe we ought to see how the verdict turns out!”
Joanna, “Ooooh, you fit in with this bunch just fine.” And using flashlight and candle power, the two go into the kitchen to work on the salad.
Robert says to Joanna, “But you know you’ll have to be back for the reading of the verdict!”
Joanna, “Yes, yes, and the sentencing.” As she enters the kitchen, she instinctively flips the light switch on, then says, “Oops! We weren’t supposed to do that! Oh, dear.”
Lauren, “But I think that’s why they have the juice turned off, so it shouldn’t be a problem.” They pause a moment, then Lauren gently switches the switch back off just in case.
Joanna says, “Yeah, good.”
In the living room, Joseph hands in his neatly folded ballot and says, “What is taking that pizza, I’m starving!” His father looks at him, causing a revised comment. “Maybe not starving but I’m awfully hungry!”
Hinton checks his watch.
• • •
Meanwhile, about eight blocks from the Market home, the pizza delivery boy appears to be pulled over by the red and blue flashing lights of a police car of some sort; a dark sedan with tinted windows. In the car sits NSA Agent Clarkson, his partner, Agent Pratt, is on a laptop computer waiting for information to return based on the driver’s license and registration of the delivery boy.
“I bet you a thousand dollars that he’s in no way connected to any of this,” says Pratt.
Clarkson, “A thousand bucks huh?”
Pratt, “Yep.”
“So, you’re saying he doesn’t even know any of them?”
The Journal: A Prophecy, A President & Death Page 22
