In Court
"In summation I state that the Court finds in favour of the defendant against the plaintiff. It is clear that zoning regulations in this case are purely the responsibility of the city authorities and of no other layer of the governmental structure."
A small man in a suit stood up. "Your honour, I request a right to appeal?"
"You have no case, Mr Weissman. You represented your clients with great skill but you have no case. In order to save the taxpayer some money I can see no merit in allowing an appeal."
"But..."
"That is ENOUGH, Mr Weissman. I realise it is normally a formality but this court absolutely has the right to deny an appeal in a litigation such as this. You do not deny that?"
"No but..."
THUMP.
The judge's gavel fell and he heaved himself onto his feet as the perspiration showed on his broad dark face. Matthew Wood had delivered his judgement and that was all there was to it.
Weissman slumped back into his seat. He could remember the days when he could count his court defeats in a year on one hand. Now he only had to see Jessica Lyons on the other side of the court-house and he pretty much knew he was fucked! Seemed it was true that she was pregnant, well roll on her maternity leave. Then he just might be able to win a damned case!
***
Jessica gathered her papers and prepared to leave when she heard her name being called. When she turned it was to face a woman who looked in her late thirties and who was approaching her with a broad smile. She was perplexed for a moment and then recognition came and her face lit up. "Oh my God - it can't be!"
The two women embraced. "It's been way too long," said the new arrival, "but I just don't get out here any more. When the family decided to come over on vacation and David wanted to take them to a ball-game then I just had to see if I could look you up."
Jessica grinned - she remembered that her teacher had never been a fan of sports. "What do I call you - it seems silly to say Mrs..."
"You call me Dee, of course! Do you know how proud I am of you - I always knew that you would be a credit to all of us. Just seeing you up there today - winning your case so easily."
Jess made a dismissive gesture. "It really wasn't a difficult case..."
"Don't listen to her," the words came from the dark-skinned African-American man seated next to Jessica, her client in the recent hearing. "State's been trying to close me down for years and this time they were sure they'd got me. Didn't reckon on me having the best lawyer in the three state district did they." Dee's eyes widened a little as the man's large Black hand patted Jessica's bottom with an easy gesture.
Jessica just smiled. "This is Cassius - one of our best-known local businessmen."
"Scuse my manners," said Cassius as he finally stood up and offered Dee his hand. "I wasn't brought up what you'd call proper!" He showed a flash of white teeth in his dark face. "I'm delighted to meet any of Jessica's crew tho, especially when they a fine chassy like you."