Solomon's Private File #442
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 35 in this story, in the Fall of 2061.
Solomon's Private File #442 "Plea Bargaining"
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I was called to testify in the competency hearing of the media mogul
who had tried to kill me and his guard. I was sworn in, and the judge
asked why I was grinning. I said, "God said I was truth and speak for
Him. You know, from that past correction, that if He doesn't like what
I do or say, He will make SURE everybody knows it." Smiles, and he
said, "Noted." Defense said, "I object! He can't be impartial!" I
grinned. Judge said to me, "Your comment?" I said, "If he knew in
advance that I would agree with what he would want of this, would he
have objected? It's he who can't be impartial, by law. Therefore, in
moral judgement, his objection has no merit. And there is this. Being
who I am, I'm the most impartial person in existence. I am unable to
lie, and MY Boss is the strictest. What I would testify to WILL be
reviewed by a lot of mental health professionals, if allowed. Will any
of them NOT use any of my previously published material in that? Why
bother with the second best, when you can have it from the source? But
I ask you to do that. I don't want to be here and do this. There are
other competent people who could do this just as well, if not with the
same er, humor."
He said, "You don't want to do this?" I said, "What shrink would, if
not for money, professional standing, or ego? I don't need or have
those. This is not diagnosis or treatment. It can actually interfere
with those things with the patient, if such treatment later became
necessary." He said, "But you're here." I said, "I noticed that before
you did. I comply with court orders. So far." He nodded, and said, "I
still ask." I said, "As a lawyer, I advise against this. With who I am,
this invites a lot of legal reviews and controversy, which could
seriously delay all actions, and cost the government a lot of extra
money that it would be almost criminal to cause to spend. There's more.
I have not been asked to examine him with tests that can be shared with
others. That's a good and bad thing. The good is, the results would be
influenced by his severe dislike of me, rendering them invalid. The bad
thing, is that other psychologists could have passed judgement on them,
for when this is appealed. In that, there is one more very bad thing.
With my professional authority, and in the religious, what shrink would
contradict me? If one did, who would then be shown to be wrong, what
would happen to the trial and to him?"
He said, "Are you the best?" I said, "I am." He said, "Then my
request still stands. Your evaluation?" I nodded, and said, "To say Mr.
Pordock suffers from a severely inflated ego, isn't fully accurate.
While that's in compliance with professional jargon, it isn't in
keeping with reality. He makes others suffer from his severely inflated
ego, mostly because he can. His wealth and business interests have
given him enormous power, and the bully in him loves to use it for it's
own sake. That ego also prevents him from believing in any power
greater than himself, which caused him to disbelieve that of me, which
is quite common. That is the sum total of his major psychological
issues. None of that prevents him from using his intellect and
reasoning in normal life activities. He has no issues regarding correct
appreciation of place and time, and was and is well aware of the laws
he chose to disregard. He violated them with that knowledge, believing
he would not be punished. Most lawbreakers are that way, but he
actually had a valid rational reason for that, with his influence with
the police. If he had acted toward another as he did with me, we would
likely not have even heard of it. He knows the law, and knew it when he
chose to violate it. Even as unpleasant a person as he is, he is able
to aid usefully in his defense if he chooses to. I don't expect him to
accept good legal advice, because of his ego. Also a common issue with
the rich and powerful. In the legal definition of competency, he is
competent to stand trial, and can aid in his defense, if he chooses
to."
Prosecutor said, "Wow!" He covered his mouth, and looked embarrassed.
Pordock, was about to have a raving fit, when his lawyer almost
wrestled with him to try to keep him under control. I said to the
judge, "This is what the defendant wanted, but clearly not HOW he
wanted it. Who wants to be ruled incompetent? If he had thought about
it, he would have known I wouldn't give him something he wanted, for
nothing. Everything must balance." Prosecutor was having trouble in
controlling his laughter. His assistant wasn't as successful, and had
to leave the room.
I said to Pordock's lawyer, "Appealing this won't get you anywhere.
In usual situations, he might be released on bail. That would justify
dragging this out as long as you can, to the completion of his life
expectancy. That's not the reality here. This isn't just about
attempted murder, of TWO people, but of abuse of power and privilege.
The more of that the public is made aware of, the worse that will be
for your client, in what people think of him, including his friends and
family. While I dislike him, I still love him. I don't want him to
suffer more than he has to, for this." He said, "I appreciate your
concern." I said with a smile, "More than he does." Chuckles. He said,
"You recommend we don't go to trial." I said, "Yes. Why drag him
through the mud, when you don't have to? You know you can't win this."
He said, "We do have some possibilities." I said, "It would be worse
for him, if you did win. You know the public would never accept that.
His businesses would leave him one by one. So would his few remaining
friends. All he influenced with his power, would turn on him, showing
their own duplicity. A trial would help no one, and would hurt many,
and winning, would hurt him most of all. But that won't happen. Your
only challenge is ME, and my veracity. You do that, you will only make
me stronger, which I don't actually want. Uncertainty about me is good
for people. It causes debate. Your client is unable to believe that I
have no ego, and don't like notoriety and fame. I don't have a choice
in that. He did, and still does. So do you. A trial will make you
famous. Please be careful that it doesn't influence you in this." He
said, "I appreciate your wise counsel. Thank you."
I said, "Mr. Pordock, please be careful in expressing your anger, or
people may think you're insane. It does look like that, to some." He
said, "If I ask you things, you have to answer?" I said with a grin,
"No, but I can't lie." He said, "Good enough. Would it be better for me
if I were declared incompetent?" I said, "There are problems with that
question. You aren't incompetent. I already said some of the things you
are, that you really didn't like. The other half of the problem is,
that would be determined by the court. For some people, a psychiatric
facility would be better or worse than a prison. Only the specific
establishments, and your feelings about them, would be the determining
factors in your opinion of that. I very much doubt you would be freed
during your remaining life. I don't know how that would affect your
visitation rights. Too many variables. Yes, you could buy a shrink to
say whatever you want. That won't make it real, now that I've been
asked here. Before I was made to know all, I was the foremost er,
shrink in history. No shrink would want to damage his career in going
against that. Unless you can find one so desperate for money, he would
leave the profession for that. You've corrupted so many people. Please,
no more. You think they were weak, and so not worth your respect. If
you were in their situation, you would think differently. Many people
will do anything for those they love. That's not a weakness, but the
ultimate in courage, in sacrifice for another. You used to have honor.
You lost it in your climb to the top. You had to, to succeed as you
were driven to. Now you're pushed off of that top, by what it made you.
Now you have only you, to draw on. You have nothing holding you back
from reclaiming your honor. Yes you can. You still can do good in the
world. You can finally love yourself. There is nothing to stop you
now."
He stared at me. With a great effort, he nodded to me. I nodded to
the judge. He adjourned us. The next day, I was asked to attend a
meeting at the prison. Prosecutor said, "We all asked you here, in what
capacity we haven't decided." Smiles, even from Pordock. I said, "You
can't make the usual deal with me. I'm out of the loop in this kind of
case, even though I was one of the victims. All I could do is withhold
my testimony, but that wouldn't withstand a subpoena." He said, "Just
advice." I said, "Who do I insult first?" They laughed. I said, "Got
Hawk with that one." Grins. I said, "Advice. No talk of money in
exchange for anything. I didn't have to say that. I could have trapped
you in that." Pordock nodded, and said, "I understand more. Some
Conservatives were right. You aren't our enemy." I said, "As I've said
before, if you need to make an enemy of somebody just for disagreeing
with you, you've got something wrong with YOU. God has no enemies. I'm
required to be as He is." He said, "Are you?" I said, "Yes. I didn't
have a choice in that, so much so, I can't even dislike it. Like the
man who disliked warts on people, who said on discovering one growing
on his nose, 'On me, it looks good.'" They chuckled.
I said, "God loves all people, warts and all, and so do I. Not so
much the actual warts, though." Grins. He said, "Did you plan to say
the last part about warts, before you finished the first reference to
them?" I said, "I did, in a way. I seldom plan what I say at all, and I
plan it all. I know that sounds contradictory, but the enlightened live
in something like a different mental reality, where we feel the flow of
things, and some of that comes naturally to us, without having to think
about them. Then add that I think billions of times faster than you do,
well, don't think about that. It won't help." Grins. I said, "But if I
didn't like my own humor, nobody would even know I had it." More grins.
I said, "Is this really about me?" He said, "Right. I've decided to
plead guilty, in exchange for some kind of reduced charge and sentence.
They wouldn't accept no contest." I said, "Not available for your
indictment in this state, by law. Not even for manslaughter. They
couldn't go lower than that, and keep their jobs." Grins, in spite of
themselves. I said, "Victims only have a say in impact statements in
sentencing. I'm out of that. I had no mental impact, and I felt no pain
for the wound. Your bodyguard is different. I'll say it this way. Did
anybody who worked for you, have any love for you?"
He said, "I've been thinking about that. What he says could impact
the plea bargain." I said, "That's not really your biggest worry. Plea
bargains are only as good as a judge says it is. They usually have to
accept an amended indictment or plea, but they don't have to accept any
deals in sentencing. He could throw a BIG book at you, and there's
nothing anything anybody can do about it, including me. It's against
the law to even try. Did they tell you that? Is that why I'm here, so
you know it's true?" He said, "Well, it is, now." I said, "Definitely
not insane!" Grins. I said, "After me saying what I want in impact, the
judge will want a statement from the other victim. I already asked him,
and he's willing to follow my lead. When I find one. So, which one
should I have?" He said, "Everybody says you're fair." I said, "But
you." He grinned, and said, "I'll see about that. I reviewed what you
said about that in your international law experiment." I said, "Well
described. That's what it was. Unlikely to happen again." Grins.
He said, "The judge I'm expected to face is up for reelection in four
years." I said, "And he's not too old for another term. That makes him
a little unpredictable. If only you hadn't contributed to the campaigns
of the other possible judges. But ignoring him, might have caused a
little bad feeling. In my opinion, that's grounds for him to recuse
himself, but I don't think he can be forced to do it, for that reason.
That would cause a change of venue. Remember, all your money in the
system is public now. But let's look at the charge. Legally, what you
did was attempted second degree murder times two. Don't tell me your
intent." His lawyer felt some relief at that. I said, "Being in a rage,
with a very reasonable justification, offers some mitigation in frame
of mind. This can be presented to the judge, and he wouldn't be able to
examine you, but you would have to allocute. You mess that up, you're
toast, and in a jam. Oh well, you know I had to do that." Grins and
chuckles.
I said, "And there's mandatory sentencing. Guilty verdict would
require prison time. New York doesn't have specialized regular prisons,
like the feds do, but your age and notoriety should place you in
special protection. So, what do you actually want from me? Jokes won't
help much." He said, "You'll support the minimum?" I said, "I would,
depending on the actual charge, and in public. You know we can't make
it all go away. The public wouldn't stand for it. I've been lynched.
It's not nice." He said, "What makes that worse than other deaths?" I
said, "Terror. You don't know if they're doing it just to frighten you,
even up to the last minute. That's terror." They said, "Oh!" I said, "A
chorus!" Chuckles.
I said, "Hawk said he hadn't thought of that. Who would, who it
didn't happen to? And after that, who could tell anybody?" Nods. I
said, "What's the deal you've got so far?" Prosecutor said, "I've
offered attempted murder times two, not premeditated, concurrent
sentence of 15 years." Defense said, "I've countered with simple
assault." I said, "Hold on, there. That won't work. Public saw me
plugged. That's battery at the very least, which invalidates simple
assault. Don't invite lynching. You might not be understanding this as
the public does. You tried to kill somebody billions of people believe
is higher in religious status than the Pope. Yes, billions. Do you know
how many death threats are on your noggin?" He said, "Oh! I hadn't
considered that." I said, "I've had violence watches on your family,
your legal team, and you. All of them had to be used." He said, "Oh my
God!" I said, "He's mine, too." He looked a little odd.
I said, "You'd better believe the judge knows all about it, and is
really not about to commit suicide." He said to his lawyer, "You didn't
tell me about this!" Lawyer said, "I didn't know! I've been working
nonstop on your case." Prosecutor said, "We knew, and thought you
knew." I said, "This means any plea bargain, I'll have to sell a lot.
Don't make that impossible. The problem is, it all went public. They
know you didn't aim to wound. We can't fool them about that now.
Anything less than some kind of attempted murder, they just won't buy,
and neither will the judge." Prosecutor said, "We don't have attempted
manslaughter in this state." I said, "If you find one that does, let me
know." He grinned. Lawyer said to his client, "I don't see us getting
anything better than their current offer that would be acceptable to a
judge." He said to the prosecutor, "Special Circumstances, ten years?"
Prosecutor said, after my nod, "If your client accepts, we do."
He said, "Solomon, what do you think?" I said, "Good offer, with
parole in the system. I think the judge will up it to 15, just to show
he's tough. You know how real bargaining goes. You've done enough of
it." He grinned, and said, "I have, and you've proved your intelligence
with that." I said, "Oops?" He laughed. I said, "Now I have to convince
the people. Idiots who want you dead for almost killing a person who
doesn't want people to kill people, are not going to be easy to
convince to use the intelligence they don't have, and would refuse if
it were offered to them." They laughed. I said, "It gets worse. It's
hard to believe, but some of them have actually said they wanted to
kill me, before. Gotta love'm; equal opportunity fantasy killers."
Prosecutor said, "Fantasy?" I said, "Give them a real gun and a target
when they're sober, if you can actually find them in that condition,
they would drop it like a hot potato, but noisier. You would know, if
you've ever dropped a hot potato. They don't bounce." Grins. I said,
"Hawk is having a hard time trying to decide how to respond to all
that. Hmm, not any more." Laughter. I said, "He had an image of a
circle of Chinese lawyers." More laughter.
I said to Pordock, "You know you need to talk with your financial
advisors, and make arrangements before things go so far that what you
want to happen with your er, stuff, doesn't happen as you would want.
Update your Will, too. All that fast, before conviction. Now to legal
things regarding me. What I said here was as a legal consultant, so
it's privileged. I'm also acting for the other victim at his request,
so he will know all this, but I think he won't spill it, but if he
does, it doesn't have to be confirmed." Nods of agreement. I said, "He
agrees to this deal. I showed him this discussion. I have a recording
of his agreement." Lawyer said, "Will he sue?" I said, "That's not for
me to say. Best to not mention anything involving money until after
this case is finished, so I can certify that there were not attempts at
influencing anything with money." Pordock said, "I was aware of that,
with your statement in the beginning." We looked at his lawyer, who
said, "Oops. I apologize. I should have remembered that." I said,
"Don't worry too much about that. Your client is a self made
billionaire. When he's on his game, like today, you can't come near him
in ability. Think about it. Would you have handled this as well, in his
place?" They both looked surprised.
Prosecutor nodded, and said, "I noticed that. Quite a contrast.
Special Circumstances confirmed." I said, "And you're going to have to
sell that, too." He nodded, and said, "Can I give a recording of this
to my DA?" They nodded. I said, "Here it is, in a crystal only readable
to you and him." I said to Pordock, "Now we have to work on the script
for the allocution. Then I'll make a crystal of it, so you can memorize
it." He said, "Oh! Great idea." I said, "I try. Here's some possibles."
I gave him some papers. I said, "Tell me which form you like best, and
we can make corrections from that." He did, and we did that. He had to
chuckle at some of the things I had put in some of them. He said, "I
know the why of your humor. It's a calculated form of emotional
manipulation. Counseling on the sly." I said, "No secret. It's been
said on air. Heard worse." He had to laugh. I said, "Anybody wants me
in court for this, let me know. Oh, just say so. Knowing all, means I
hear everything." He said, "Oh, so it's true!" I said, "Forgot about
the no lying part?" He was embarrassed. My grin didn't help. I said,
"DA okay with your deal, or should I wait?" He said, "Authorized in
advance. We knew you wanted the best we could do for him."
I said, "Hugs available." They all had them, and Pordock was in
shock. I said, "Hmm, you really didn't know much about me. Here's a
crystal cross of my public actions, and has my love in it, too. They
want to take it away, say it's religious, and they have to let you keep
it. But if you lose it, when nobody can see, wish hard for it, and it
will appear in your open hand. No, it can't be damaged. It will work on
anybody as long as you possess it. Could make you some needed friends."
He grinned and nodded. I shifted to where the bodyguard was working,
and said to the man behind the desk, "I need him for a minute." He
said, "Go right ahead." We ported to the Navajo convention center, and
sat in an office. I told him were we were, and said, "It went as I
planned." He grinned, and said, "Like always?" I said, "Like I'll not
admit when it doesn't." More grins.
He said, "He's different." I said, "Happens where I'm involved. He
said, "I could like him now." I said, "Same here. But we can't let that
interfere with what needs to happen." He said, "Right. Nobody should
get away with what he did. You were right. The world won't let it
happen. We can't stop that." I said, "But we CAN work to make it fair.
He didn't actually hurt us." He said, "True. I agree with you." I said,
"I'm doing a show about it. Want in?" He said, "No, but they'll want to
know why, and suspect something. I don't want them to think you think
only you matter in this. You knew." I said, "Shhh." He laughed. He went
back to work.
Greg introduced us, and explained the situation. I said, "Part of the
problem that Mr. Pordock had with me, was he didn't know much about me.
He doesn't watch much TV, and what little he did, was of his own
network. So he really didn't know me." Chuckles. I said, "And what
little he had heard, he didn't believe. But he didn't like me at all,
when I posted the political money information. He was up to his bank
accounts in that. That it made him boiling angry at that, and me for
doing it, doesn't do justice to his feelings. Erupting super-volcano,
might be more like it. He wanted to express that to me. Unfortunately,
he had access to a gun at just the wrong time in his rage, and used it
to shoot me, believing that would make him feel better. Well, it just
made him more, er odd." I looked at the bodyguard, and said, "Then he
pointed the gun at me, when it wouldn't fire again at Solomon. I knew
Solomon wouldn't let it kill me, but that was in my mind. My body
didn't trust that. If he hadn't still been holding me in place, I might
have showed my lack of bravery then. Thanks." I said, "You're welcome,
but didn't you just ruin that?"
He said with a grin, "I think I did, but I know you need the full
truth." I said, "Well, somebody knows something about me." Chuckles. I
said, "We did the evidence thing, and made witness statements, but what
really made the case was it was shown live on this very network." Greg
said, "It was! Did you expect him to shoot you?" I said, "In the state
he was in, I couldn't expect anything. He said he was ruined. He was,
as far as his business life was concerned, and that devastated him. He
wasn't insane, or mentally incompetent, but he wasn't his real self
then." Bodyguard said, "That's true. I've seen him in all situations.
Usually, under pressure, that's when he's most in control. He actually
likes that. This time, it was way out of his experience. He couldn't
handle it." I said, "Yes. And despite his attempts, he didn't actually
harm anybody. That's why I'm supporting the plea deal they just made in
his case." He said, "I agree with it, too." We went to break.
Greg said, "You didn't tell us you were going to break that!" I said,
"But your expression was worth it. Producer agrees." He looked very
odd. Bodyguard tried not to laugh, and said, "It's different, the show
from this side of it." I said, "They all say that." Grins. Back on air,
Greg said, "Solomon just told us before the break, that there is a plea
deal in the works for the incident where he was shot by Mr. Pordock." I
said, "Yes, it's been agreed to by the Prosecutor, and Mr. Pordock.
That's Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, with Special
Circumstances, two counts, with a recommendation if a concurrent
sentences of ten years maximum in prison."
He said, "But he tried to kill you both!" I said, "But we weren't
killed, not even a little. It was a unique circumstance in all ways,
and can never be repeated." Bodyguard said, "We think the sentence is
fair. He did commit a crime, and needs to be punished for the law to be
respected, but he didn't physically harm us, and that should count,
too." Greg said to me, "He shot you!" I said, "I didn't feel any pain,
and I can use a new body anytime I feel like it, and even when I don't.
He didn't know that, though. I have determined the sentence is fair.
He's lost his media empire he spent a lifetime building, and he's lost
his freedom, his respect, and his family. He was one of the most
powerful people in the world, and now he's just another number in
prison, all for a few moments of uncharacteristic rage. Don't tell me
he doesn't suffer for what he did. He does. I feel it. Less punishment
wouldn't be fair justice. More punishment, when he caused me no
personal harm, would be unjust."
I said, "He's had a lot of death threats for this. That's very
strange, for acting against somebody who opposes all killing." Greg
said, "Oh! That IS strange." I said, "His family and legal team have
had death threats, too. I'm protecting all of them. THEY didn't do
ANYTHING to deserve ANY bad feelings because of this." Greg said, "But
his lawyer?" I said, "Defense lawyers are required to make the justice
system work. They should be respected for that, and you'll really
understand that when you need one." He said, "I understand what you
mean." I said, "Our legal system was founded on the principle that it's
better that ten guilty people go free, than one innocent person be
wrongly convicted. Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that in reality,
where DAs and judges are elected. They don't stay in office over
letting possibly guilty people go free, and voters don't really care
about innocent people being convicted, but their families. We are still
a society of revenge, not real justice or mercy. I OPPOSE REVENGE!
That's a grave sin! Proper justice isn't revenge. If you can't have
peace after a crime, without requiring the suffering of another, you
are NOT worthy of God's grace. Please remember that. Forgiveness
doesn't mean forgetfulness. It doesn't mean the offender shouldn't
receive justice. It means you can rest your soul, and trust God with
it. You don't need to suffer more. Making somebody else suffer for you,
well, if that makes you feel better, that's evil. Don't be like that.
Ask for proper justice, and let God heal your own suffering. He will,
if you let him." We went to break.
Bodyguard said, "Wow!" Greg said, "Yes. Stronger than usual. People
had revenge on their minds?" I said, "You know it. Bloodthirsty bunch,
even without long teeth." Odd looks. Back from break, I said, "It's
human nature to feel a kind of glee when we see a privileged person
fall from grace. It comes from envy, jealousy, and resentment of them.
That's disgusting. While it's part of the herd instinct in human
nature, it's really NOT the best of us, but the beast in us. We don't
need to act like pact animals, to bring down the different best of us,
because they are the best, which they actually are usually not. More
accomplished, yes. Most people who become famous to the public, don't
live up to the expectations of the public. They can't. It's just not
possible, being human. And most don't deserve such acclaim. Is a sports
player really a role model for children? Making a living playing a
child's game for millions of dollars? Is a raging capitalist a role
model? An actor, a person who plays someone he's not, at the direction
of others? A Priest? A Senator? None are more useful role models for
children, than your friends and neighbors. Your teachers. Your daily
workers. Those are the real people to look up to, who make your lives
actually become what they are. They're not especially glamorous, or
exciting, or even that interesting at first glance, but they are the
people who make all you know, work. Real people. People who love
others, who YOU can know and love in person. They're not so bad, when
you come to think of it. You can be them. Most people will. Some will
rise above that, in the eyes of others. A few will be made famous in
some way. Usually by pure chance. Some of them will deserve it, but it
won't last long, and it usually harms them. We aren't built to deal
with fame well. I think you've noticed that."
I said, "Let's look at Mr. Pordock. He grew up in poverty. He worked
his way through school. He started a business, and worked more than 60
yours a week to make it successful. He's worked just as hard ever
since. He became a great man, for all his accomplishments, but it
changed him. It's been said that power corrupts. It can, even for the
most honorable people, because it can creep up on you without you
noticing it. One bad thing about power. It can be like an addiction.
When you have it, you need more and more, and then that's not enough.
You need to exercise it. He did, and in dishonorable ways. He realizes
that, now that it's come back onto him. It was probably the biggest
shock he's ever experienced, and he's suffering for it. Let him serve
as an example of too much of a thing, good or bad, is trouble. He had
much more than he needed, and had to use it. He knows better now. I
know, I talked with him, at his request. He's changed. A little late,
but better than never. I strongly request that his plea agreement be
honored by all. It's fair and just, and it's what we want." Bodyguard
said, "Yes, please." I signaled the end, and the show closed.
I said to Greg, "People are going to wonder if with my power, can I
be corrupted. Not with my Boss sitting on me, and me on the rest of my
group, and we monitor each other, just for that." He said, "Got it. You
could have said that, but you want that debate." I said, "Of course."
Grins. I ported us back to the Center. He said, "That was VERY
interesting. You managed the whole thing, even the discussion that's
still happening." I said, "More, actually. I occasionally put comments
on their monitors. Corrections, and other points to consider. I'm their
best fact checker. Faster really helps, and with on screen references."
He said, "Wow!" I said, "My father started that. With wows, too." He
chuckled. I said, "People are going to want to talk to you for the
wrong reasons." He said, "I got that from your talk. Oh!" I grinned,
and said, "You know I have to like that. And that Hawk didn't realize
it." He growled in the air. We chuckled. I ported him home. In my home,
Hawk was poking me, and it wasn't him who was laughing.
Judge agreed to the deal, and upped it to 15. He asked to see me, and
said, "I thought 15 years was more in keeping with the crime." I said,
"I told him you would do that, and why, and he said that impressed him,
because he thought you would, for the same reason, too." He looked
strange, and said, "Was that your real goal?" I said, "Yes." He had to
laugh. We hugged.
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