"Come in," he muttered.
She sheepishly entered.
He was standing behind the desk intimidatingly. Wearing his judges robes, he looked taller than he really was, she thought.
"Your honor," she said softly, "I'm sorry to be late."
"I would imagine you are," he said.
"I'm only late because it took me a little longer to get ready than usual....due to your...request."
She said the last word more slowly, and her breathing changed as she exhaled.
***
About a month prior, on a slow Tuesday night in traffic court, she was the last case on the docket. The clerk called the final docket and she approached. He could already tell how this case was going to go - he could see her already revving for a fight, and he was ready.
***
"And what was my request? Remind me," he demanded.
"That I wear this particular outfit."
"Correct," he muttered.
She approached his desk. She was wearing a button-down shirt over black and white striped tights, a black wig, and black heels.
"Why did you want me to wear this outfit?" she asked. "I still don't understand."
"It's simple," he replied. "So you know who is in charge here. You were a little confused the first time we met."
"Ah yes,", she remembered...
***
She approached the bench with confidence and launched into her complaints immediately.
"I WAS NOT SPEEDING. THAT COP WAS A JERK. IT WAS NOT MY FAULT. THAT ASSHOLE..."
He cut her off. "Ma'am, you may not swear in my court."
"WHAT THE FUCK..." she continued
"Language. If you do it again, I'll cite you for contempt."
"WAIT. What? Seriously?" she laughed incredulously.
"Yes, ma'am. Seriously. Don't come in here and talk that way in court. "
"BUT THAT COP...I WAS NOT SPEEDING. FUCKING ASSHOLE."
"That's it. You are being held in contempt of court. You can pay the $1000 fine now or the bailiff will take you into custody right now."
"WHAT. THE. FUCK?" was her retort.
"Your choice, ma'am. I'll give you a minute to think about it. " That shut her up.
"Um, your honor..." she managed to get a few words out and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I was just mad about the ticket. I'm a full-time returning college student, in between jobs and I can't afford the ticket. I definitely can't afford a fine for contempt. I truly apologize. Isn't there anything I can do?"
He smiled to himself and the court clerk sighed. "I'll consider it," the judge said. "It sort of depends on you."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
He continued. "From time to time, we do things a little differently around here in special cases. I can waive both the contempt charge and the fine, if you agree to an alternative sentence. It won't involve money or any time served."
She paused. She really didn't have enough information to make this decision, but it also felt like she had no choice. "Gladly, your honor. I really appreciate it!"
The court clerk had her approach and handed her a slip of paper. She looked at it, confused. "That's it?" she asked.
"Yes, the judge replied. But you need to follow the sentence exactly."
***
"Well, I wore the outfit and came when you asked me to," she said.
"Yes. That is part one of your alternative sentence." He said this quite slowly.
"What the fuck? The paper didn't say anything else!" she angrily replied.
"Yes, I know." His tone had changed. It was confident and commanding. "But I'm in charge, remember?"