The sun was setting on the courtroom. It never used to be as terrifying as this, but since losing the past few cases, Phoenix found himself almost desperate to win this one. He rifled through his evidence a few more times before eventually giving in and nodding solemnly to the judge. However hard to face it, Phoenix had lost his touch. He didn't know when or why. He didn't want to know.
"I have come to a decision!" announced the judge, demanding attention of the court. All eyes focused on his round figure. "I declare the defendant: guilty!"
And with a loud 'BANG' of his gavel, the room fell silent.
Phoenix buried his face into his hands, laughing pitifully at his sad performance. The sun had long faded from view by this point, and the sky had clouded over. Moonlight barely penetrated the thick layer of cloud. Where it did, the light was faint and pale. During these spells of light, Phoenix lifted his head and gazed out of the window, as though he expected they could help him save his sorry career. The light faded away again.
Interrupting Phoenix's silence, Maya entered the room with a tray. She flicked on the light casually, allowing it to reveal Phoenix's defined features before moving forward again. She placed the tray on his desk with a clatter. Phoenix watched the mug of tea overflow and splash his case files. He simply picked up the mug and sipped from it, no longer caring for his tea-stained papers. Maya picked up the sheets and carefully tried to wipe the tea from them. In doing so, she happened to destroy the work entirely. Phoenix finally gave in to his emotion and wept bitterly into his palms. Maya placed a hand on his back.
"Aww, Nick, don't cry," she soothed, "There's nothing to be sad about! It'll all be fine; we'll get back to how it was before when-"
Phoenix interrupted her by slamming his mug on the table. It overflowed again, covering the desk with steaming fluid.
"When Maya? When I wasn't a failure!?"
He stood up suddenly, wandering dejectedly over to the window. Maya followed intently. She took a firm hold of Phoenix's loosely hung shoulders.
"You aren't a failure."
He grew frustrated and starting shouting at her.
"I've lost every case I've had this past month Maya! I need to win – soon – or I'm going to lose everything!" he exclaimed, forcing Maya's hand from his shoulders. She lowered her eyes to the carpet. A few silent moments passed before she finally walked over to him again. She slapped him hard on the cheek and sauntered out muttering insults under her breath.
Phoenix stood dumb-founded for a while, caressing his reddened cheek. It stung like crazy. Bitter tears wet his eyes yet again, rolling down his face until they landed on his papers, now no longer recognisable as paper. The paper peeled slowly from his desk and fell askew on the carpet. All that remained was a photograph that looked distinctly familiar. Curious, Phoenix picked it up and rubbed it clean. From the little writing he could decipher at the bottom of the frame he made out a short thank you. Raising his eyes to look at the photograph, Phoenix realised what it was for. It was quite an old photo, showing himself in his glory years, wide-eyed and enthusiastic. He was celebrating yet another victory, jumping for joy with his arms around a rather less enthusiastic character. He stood with his arms folded and held himself upright. The suit he wore was bright – a light shade of magenta. Phoenix smiled.
"There's my answer."